Flooding
PicNews
The Ogun State government has issued a warning to residents in flood-prone areas, advising them to relocate to safer environments between the last week of September and the second week of October. This warning is due to predicted heavy rainfall, river overflow, and rising sea levels. The affected areas include riverine communities such as Isheri, Warewa, Akute, parts of Abeokuta, Ayetoro, Itele, Iju, and coastal areas like Makun, Oni, Iwopin, Igele, Ifaara in Ogun Waterside, Ebute-Imobi in Ijebu East, Tungeji Island, and Agosasa in Ipokia Local Government Area.
Residents in these areas are advised to take precautionary measures, including avoiding the use of borehole and well water during the flooding period due to contamination risks. Fish farmers in floodplains, particularly those in Eriwe, Yemule, Ijebu Ode, Ilase, and Ayegbami, are urged to harvest their stock immediately to prevent losses. The Ogun State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) is on red alert, with temporary emergency camps prepared across the state for possible evacuation.
The Ministry of Environment is working closely with the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority to manage water releases from Oyan Dam and reduce the impact of flooding. According to the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET), September is expected to have the highest rainfall at 204mm, followed by October at 190mm, while November is expected to decline to 93mm. The flooding is predicted to last for two weeks, typically occurring between September and November.
The government has assured residents that necessary measures are being taken to mitigate the impact of flooding. The Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Ola Oresanya, emphasized the need for residents to take the warning seriously and relocate to safer areas. The state government has also pledged its commitment to continually work towards making the state flood-free.
