Authorities have moved to allay fears among residents living downstream of the Weija Dam following the commencement of a controlled spillage to release excess water from the facility.
The Weija-Gbawe Municipal Director of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Emmanuel Essel, assured the public that the situation remains firmly under control, even as heavy rains have pushed the dam’s water level to 45.2 feet.
Ghana Water Limited (GWL) initiated the controlled release after increased inflows from the Densu River raised water levels beyond normal thresholds.
The exercise, Mr. Essel explained, involves opening one of the dam’s five gates by just six inches to regulate the volume and prevent a potentially hazardous buildup.
“So far, there’s no cause for alarm,” Mr. Essel told Accra-based Channel One News. “This morning, we met with Ghana Water Limited, and we were assured that should there be any increase, we will be promptly informed. For now, it is one gate, six inches.”
He confirmed that the release has, so far, had no adverse impact on downstream communities, with contingency measures already in place should water volumes rise further.
Communities that could be affected in the event of an escalation include Tetegu, Oblogo, Pambros, Lower McCarthy Hill, Lower Weija, Bojo Beach, Adankope, and other settlements along the downstream stretch.
Authorities say they are maintaining close surveillance on both the dam and the Densu River, and have pledged to issue further updates should there be any significant change in the volume of water being released.
