Dam spillage: We won’t leave anyone behind, VRA tells affected communities

The Volta River Authority (VRA) has given assurance to residents and communities affected in the latest spillage of the Akosombo Dam that no one will be left behind as the authority intensifies distribution of relief items.

According to the chief executive of the VRA Emmanuel Antwi-Darkwa, the affected communities are direct neighbours of the authority and they will do everything possible to get them back to comfort.

“VRA vows to stand with these communities until the spilling ends. We are committed to intensifying the relief supplies for the affected communities,” a statement by the VRA said.

So far, in collaboration with NADMO, the VRA has provided relief items, such as canned food, rice, sugar, toiletries, boats, hot meals estimated to be worth millions of Ghana cedis to the flood victims.

Additionally, the VRA is providing tanker water supply service for the impacted communities as well as potable drinking water to all victims who will need them.

On 15 September 2023, the Volta River Authority started a controlled spill from the Akosombo and Kpong Dams. This was due to the heavy rainfall in the Volta River catchment area, resulting in a fast rise in the water level at Akosombo Dam. The spill was, therefore, necessary to prevent the overtopping of the dam and to protect the dam’s integrity.

However, by the beginning of October, the water level was still rising rapidly, exceeding the maximum operating level of 276 feet. Following persistent rains and a continued rise in the water level, VRA increased the spill rate from 9 October 2023. This resulted in increased flooding in a number of communities in the North, South and Central Tongu Districts of the Volta Region, as well as Ada East District.

Since the spilling began, high level members of VRA and NADMO have been been present in the affected areas not only to assess the impact of the spill, but also to provide large quantities of relief items as well as carry out educational drives on safety in the communities. VRA and NADMO have provided and continue to provide evacuation to safe havens on higher ground for the affected victims.

The statement added that “in line with its already existing evacuation preparation plan, VRA intends to provide healthcare services as well for all the flood victims.”

For the past 13 years, VRA has been holding annual stakeholder sensitisation workshops, without fail, for all the districts of the communities that will be impacted by a spill activity or a dam break. The workshops focus on the likely impacts and what people are to do when they get the notification.

Source: Daily Mail GH