The Volta River Authority (VRA) has begun a programme to educate people living and farming near banks of the Volta River in the Upper East Region. The flood plains of the river in the region are expected to be flooded when Burkina Faso opens its Bagre Dam to spill excess water. Already, the Information Services Department and radio stations in the region are making announcements to inform communities to evacuate the areas likely to suffer the most. Alhaji Mohammed Erzuah Siam, Community Relations Officer of VRA who led a team of personnel from the authority on the campaign, told the people that the Bagre Dam would officially be opened on August 21. He warned people not to attempt crossing the river to the other side, send herds of cattle close to the river or go to their farms close to river on the stated date because the force of the river could sweep them away. Source: GNA