The exercise, which began last Monday, is expected to continue during the rainy season to safeguard the dam from possible damage and collapse.

 

The gradual spillage of the dam is also aimed at preventing flooding of communities in the dam’s catchment area.

 

Speaking to the Daily Graphic in Accra yesterday, the Communications Director of the GWCL, Mr Michael Agyeman, explained that the company had begun the spillage on a minimal basis ahead of the onset of the rainy season to avoid the magnitude similar to the effects of the spillage which occurred in 2014.

 

According to him, the company, however, wished to inform members of the public that with the onset of the rainy season, the water level of the Weija Lake had been rising steadily, with visible signs of reaching the critical stage within days.

 

“Individuals, institutions, organisations and companies with property on the downstream of the dam should note that depending on the rise in the water level in the coming days, the rate of the spillage will be intensified and that could result in flooding along the lower course of the Densu River,” Mr Agyeman said.

 

The company, therefore, advised the public, especially residents in and around the Weija treatment plant, to be watchful and take immediate precautionary measures to protect lives and properties in the event of any unforeseen situation.

Hundreds of homes in two communities in the Ga South municipality were submerged on June 11 and 12, 2014, following the spillage of the Weija Dam by the GWCL.

 

The situation was so serious that thousands of residents of Glefe and Opetekwei, who had been displaced by the flood waters, were compelled to evacuate their homes.

 

Many vehicles got stuck as the roads were rendered unmotorable by floods.