Mr Stanley Martey
The Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) has announced the spillage of more water from the Weija Dam, in the Weija/Gbawe Municipality in Accra to prevent it from possible collapse.
According to it, the dam was almost reaching its maximum capacity level of 48 feet due to heavy rains from the Eastern Region, where the dam takes its source.
The Ghanaian Times in July this year, reported that authorities at the dam site had opened three gates to spill excess water urging residents close by to relocate to safer areas.
The Ghana Meteorological Agency, had prior to that warned of heavy rains across the country with the middle sector; Brong Ahafo, Ashanti, Eastern and Western regions being the hardest hit.
Speaking to the Ghanaian Times yesterday, Head of Communications at GWCL, Mr Stanley Martey indicated that as of Saturday, October 13, water levels had reached 47.6, compelling authorities to open a fourth gate at 12 inches to spill excess water.
“We will have no option than to open all six gates in coming weeks should we have more rains coming in so as to save the dam from the high pressure with the rise in water level,” he stated.
Mr Martey indicated that the GWCL had kept spillage gates opened since June this year as a result of the unpredictable rain patterns.
He noted that “ideally water levels should be between 40-45 feet but because we are having more inflows upstream, there is high pressure on the dam so in order not to compromise on its safety, we kept some gates opened to spill the excess water that comes in so we can safeguard it.”
“We are also dredging the estuaries so water can freely flow into the sea and not overflow its banks to flood people’s homes and cause havoc,” he stated.
Mr Martey who was saddened by the continuous building of structures along the dam’s buffer zone, however, did not rule out a possible flooding or havoc should people remain defiant and drew closer to the reserve.
Meanwhile, the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) had issued a flood alert to communities in the catchment area of the dam asking them to move to safer grounds.
It mentioned areas including Bortianor, Kokrobite and Ada Kope and urged residents to take cover in the interest of their personal safety.
The Director of Floods at NADMO, Evans Anarkwa, in a statement indicated that the organisation in collaboration with GWCL and the Assembly was sensitising residents to move away from the area.
The Ghanaian Times during a visit to some areas along the dam site saw some houses almost submerged as the spilled water had overflowed its banks.
At areas like Weija Away and Ada Kope, residents had to be assisted to cross to adjoining communities by canoes for a fee.
The issue of indiscriminate building along the watercourse was still rife when the paper visited.
BY ABIGAIL ANNOH
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