Burkina Faso’s national electricity company, SONABEL, has begun the 2026 spillway discharge at the Bagré Dam following the opening of the spillway gates this morning.

The operation started at 9:53 a.m. local time, when the upstream water level stood at 234.79 metres.

SONABEL said one spillway gate was opened to a height of 0.41 metres, resulting in a discharge of 47.72 cubic metres per second.

The company said a siren was sounded to alert communities downstream of the dam.

It added that the siren alert followed radio announcements that had been broadcast continuously since Wednesday.

SONABEL said areas identified as being at high risk downstream had also been cordoned off as a precautionary measure.

A team from Bagré Rural Radio was present to cover the operation as part of efforts to raise public awareness.

The discharge marks the start of the 2026 spillway operation at the dam.