The National Agency for Civil Protection (ANPC) organized, on Friday September 9, 2022, at its headquarters in Lomé, a meeting on the levels of preparation for the response to flood risks with the actors involved. It turns out that arrangements are made to avoid loss of life, as well as suffering to populations living in flood-prone areas, during this second rainy season in southern Togo.
The short rainy season in the southern part of Togo has just started and may be accompanied by the risk of flooding. On September 9, 2022, the National Agency for Civil Protection (ANPC) brought together at its headquarters in Lomé, the actors of the national platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and its partners, to take stock of the preparations should make it possible to protect the lives of populations exposed to the risks of disasters, in particular floods, and to spare them suffering.
According to the director of the ANPC, Col. Yoma Baka, the water release operation at the Nangbéto hydroelectric power station (dam) began on September 4 and is continuing. “There are devices at the dam to release the overflow towards the sea and the sinto dam located in Anié makes it possible to give the alert to release this quantity of water which this infrastructure does not need to produce water. ‘electricity “, he said. Collar. Baka also reports that the reception sites for the victims are ready and the transport of rescue equipment for the victims is underway. ” Boats and vests were transported to Agbanakin, in the Lacs prefecture, and on the Koumongou River in the Oti-Sud prefecture, to allow the population to move from one bank to another, in case of need “, he reassured. According to him, sensitization to the place of the population continues, to warn the riverside communities of the Mono River on the water releases. ” It is necessary to sensitize the targets concerned in relation to the crossing of the river and the fishing and rural activities and the extraction of gravel in this watercourse. “, he specified. This sensitization also targets communities living in areas at risk of flooding on what to do when the situation becomes worrying. Collar. Baka specifies that the ANPC proposes, each year to the government, a disaster risk response preparedness plan at the approach of the rainy season. He invited the population to a frank collaboration in disaster management.
It should be noted that this year, the short rainy season in southern Togo started earlier than expected and according to forecasts from the General Directorate of Meteorology, the country may face a surplus situation.
Regarding the release of water on the Nangbéto dam, the director of this infrastructure, Mr. Pascal Kpangon informs that 120 m3/second are enough to produce electricity, while in the rainy season, the water level rises to 1660m3/second. He reassures that to avoid material damage, an expertise can reduce the pressure of the water during the evacuation.
Francoise AOUI