The governor of the Boucle du Mouhoun region, Pierre Bassinga, led a large delegation of administrative authorities on the afternoon of Wednesday August 21, 2024 to the disaster-stricken village of Hèrèdougou to demonstrate the solidarity of the Nation. The delegation was able to note the evolution of the water situation having submerged the bridge of the said village and took urgent measures.
A few hours after the temporary stoppage of road traffic on national road 1 at the village of Hèrèdougou, in the commune of PA, a delegation of administrative authorities led by the governor of the Boucle du Mouhoun region, Pierre Bassinga, s He went to the scene to comfort the affected populations, encourage the defense and security forces on the ground, and make necessary decisions.
The governor’s delegation noted the extent of the water on the roadway. According to the explanations of the commander of the national fire brigade of Boromo, Captain Boris Ouédraogo, the water level continued to increase from the early
hours of the morning until the arrival of the delegation .
Technicians from the General Water Directorate clarified that the water level has exceeded 1.5 m on the roadway, which is submerged for more than four kilometers, making the bridge completely invisible. Everyone agrees that the water level will not drop anytime soon.
Drawing the consequences of the impassability of the roadway, Governor Bassinga, in a press release dated August 21, 2024, informed the populations bordering the Grand Balé River as well as users of National Road No. 1 that traffic is now strictly prohibited on this part of the section, until further notice.
According to the terms of the same press release, the governor urges the populations and users of the RN1 to exercise caution and patience, to scrupulously follow the safety instructions issued by local authorities, and to stay informed of regular updates on the meteorological and hydrological situation.
The press release having taken immediate effect, traffic was blocked a few me
ters from the exit of Boromo and PA, immobilizing many users, with an endless line of vehicles of all types.
Beyond the measures to secure the section, the governor paid particular attention to the affected populations of the village of Hèrèdougou.
The authorities also noted the numerous material damages following the flooding of the village, which the waters transformed into a large lake, leaving more than three hundred (300) people in distress, according to provisional figures from the management census. provincial in charge of humanitarian action, supported by volunteers from the local Red Cross.
The delegation visited the victims who had taken refuge in the classrooms of the village school, in the local church, and in the homes of some relatives.
There was great sadness on their faces. Women and children were the most numerous. The reception space was visibly limited to accommodate the saved food, bags of clothes, as well as mats for the night.
Faced with the humanitarian situation, the governor want
ed to reassure them: ‘We have come to tell you that you are not alone, we are here to show you the solidarity of the entire nation. It is to better organize emergency relief that humanitarian action services carry out a household census. In the coming hours, CONASUR will come to your aid,’ said the regional authority.
It was also an opportunity for the governor to invite parents to pay attention to their children in order to avoid the worst. He also made residents aware of the need to avoid building in flood zones to find shelter.
The governor was accompanied by the secretary general of the province of Balé, the prefects of PA and Boromo, the heads of the defense and security forces, as well as the regional and provincial directors in charge of water, infrastructure, agriculture and humanitarian action, and the general director of water resources.
Source: Burkina Information Agency