Authorities in Burkina Faso have announced an earlier-than-expected spillage of the Bagre Dam, moving the exercise from Wednesday, August 27, 2025, to Monday, August 25, 2025.
In a statement, SONABEL, the agency managing both the Bagre and Kompienga dams, said the decision became necessary after heavy rainfall in recent days pushed water levels beyond initial projections.
“SONABEL informs the coastal populations of the hydroelectric dam of Bagré that, following the heavy rainfall recorded in recent days, the water level of the hold has reached a critical threshold and requires a faster evacuation of the surplus,” the statement read.
As of Saturday, August 23, 2025, the Bagre Dam had reached an elevation of 234.27 metres, representing a filling rate of 90.24 per cent.
This left just 0.73 metres below its maximum retention level. The Kompienga Dam also recorded worrying figures, standing at 177.90 metres with a filling rate of 79.36 per cent, only 2.10 metres shy of its normal retention capacity.
SONABEL explained that the speed of the water rise had exceeded expectations, prompting the advancement of the spillage date.
“Consequently, SONABEL will open the valves of the dam flood evacuator from Monday, August 25, 2025 from 08 o’clock, instead of Wednesday, August 27, as initially announced,” the notice said.
Communities living downstream of the dam have been urged to remain alert and take the necessary precautions against potential flooding.
“SONABEL therefore invites the coastal populations living downstream of the dam to remain vigilant and to take all necessary precautions against the risks of flooding that may result from this measure,” the agency advised.
