THE Volta River Authority (VRA) has indicated that the planned spillage of the Volta Lake will now take place on November 1, 2010 to avert any possible damage to the dam.
The decision is informed by the consistent rise in the water level, which now stands at 276.40ft, which is 1.4ft less than the allowable maximum level of the dam.
At a press conference in Takoradi yesterday, the Chief Executive Officer of VRA, Mr Kwaku Awotwi, said the spillage would be carried out in such a way that it would not be noticed and would not affect communities downstream of the lake.
“Considering the current rate of inflow, VRA intends to commence discharging small amounts of water in controlled manner in the event the lake level rises above 277ft, currently forecasted to be on or around that figure by November 1, 2010,” Mr Awotwi said,
However, as a safety measure, he said, VRA would be working with the communities along the lake and the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO).
To avert any possible disaster, Mr Awotwi said, the VRA would spill about 10,000 cubic feet of water per second and explained that at such a rate it would be difficult for the communities to notice the spillage.
The measure, he explained, was to ensure that VRA was not compelled to spill uncontrolled amount of water in the event that the lake level rose above 280ft, which is the maximum allowable level.
“This is to also obtain optimum protection for the communities downstream of the reservoir in line with meeting the objectives for the flood control,” Mr Awotwi added.
As a proactive measure, he said, the VRA had intensified its efforts at educating the general public on the exercise and the necessary precautionary measures in the event of any risk.
“We will ensure that communities are given sufficient notification and will provide continuous public announcements before, during and after the spillage.
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