The Volta River Authority (VRA) has disclosed that the ongoing rains could necessitate further spillage from the Akosombo and Kpong dams.
Speaking to the media, the Deputy Chief Executive of the VRA, Edward Obeng Kenzo, indicated that the current water level at the dam stands at 277.26 feet, nearing its maximum operational level of 277.5 feet.
According to him, going beyond this threshold could pose a severe risk to the dam’s structural integrity and potentially lead to a substantial release of water, putting areas along the Volta River, extending down to Tema, in jeopardy.
“We don’t want to spill any additional volume of water. We are tracking and with the data, we believe that we may not spill any volume of water. But if there should be any unexpected heavy rains into the dam, we’ll be compelled to spill. Where we are now, we are around 277.26 feet of water behind the dam. The dam’s operational level is 276, the maximum allowable operational level of the dam is 277.5 feet.”
He added that to avert a potential catastrophe, the VRA may find it necessary to continue discharging water should water levels continue to rise.
“So we are left with only about 0.24 feet to get to that maximum operational level of the dam. So any level beyond this, we are putting the dam’s integrity at risk. If the dam should break, the volume of water that will come out of the dam – all those along the banks of the river, all the way to somewhere around Tema will be wiped into the sea. No human being will be saved, no structure will be saved, nothing will be saved,” Mr. Kenzo cautioned.
The decision to release water from the Akosombo and Kpong Dams was initiated on September 15, 2023, due to a sustained increase in the inflow pattern and water level of the Akosombo reservoir.
Consequently, this led to widespread flooding in various regions, including South Tongu, North Tongu, Central Tongu, Asuogyaman, among others.
In response to these challenges, President Akufo-Addo has committed government resources to assist flood victims in the Eastern, Greater Accra, and Volta regions.
During his visit to the affected areas, he assured that an inter-ministerial committee would address immediate relief and take proactive measures to prevent future disasters.
Additionally, President Akufo-Addo revealed the government’s intent to collaborate with district assemblies to provide support to those affected when the floodwaters recede.
“I am aware that you are a farming people and the people who are farming on the banks of the rivers and had their crops destroyed, one of the things the Agriculture Ministry, Finance Ministry and the Office of the President are going to do is to work together with the district assemblies to decide the exact support we have to give to you when the water has gone away.”
“And this is why I am saying that the Committee is working in several phases, one being to provide immediate relief, and then to prevent such happening in the future and I want you to know the government is going to do everything in its powers to assist to ensure everything is all right.”