Bagre Dam Spillage: NADMO tells residents to evacuate

The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) is urging residents and settlers along the Black Volta basin to evacuate immediately, as the spillage of the Bagre Dam in Burkina Faso is set to begin earlier than expected.

In a statement issued on Saturday, August 23, 2025, NADMO confirmed that SONABEL, the dam’s managing authority has scheduled the spillage for Monday, August 25, instead of the initially planned date of Wednesday, August 27.

According to SONABEL, water levels in the Bagre Dam have risen rapidly, now reaching an elevation of 234.27 meters, which is 90.24% of its capacity just 0.73 meters below the dam’s maximum retention level.

The nearby Kompienga Dam is also nearing its critical threshold, currently at 177.90 meters, or 79.36% of its filling capacity, with only 2.10 meters left to full retention.

NADMO warns that the early release of water could trigger severe flooding across low-lying communities, potentially leading to displacement, loss of lives, snakebites, and destruction of farms and property.

“This is a life-threatening situation,” the statement stressed. “We are calling on all residents in vulnerable areas to move to higher ground immediately to avoid casualties.”

NADMO says emergency teams are on alert and coordinating with local authorities to assist in evacuation efforts.