The Ogun State Government has placed residents of some areas along the river course in the state on alert as a result of expected flash floods due to heavy rainfall predicted for the state by the Nigerian Metrological Agency.
Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya disclosed this while giving the outlook predictions for the 2023 flood alert for the state.
Oresanya, while assuring that the state government is doing its best by putting plans in place to minimise the impact of the predicted downpour, sought the cooperation and understanding of residents in this direction, as he asked them to temporarily relocate to avoid loss of lives and property due to flooding.
As predicted by the Nigerian Metrological Agency, Ogun State is expected to have two seasons of rainfall for the year 2023, first between April and July with average 1658mm while the second is expected between September and November with 1988mm of rainfall.
According to him, the areas like Isheri, Mowe, Kara, Ibafo are to experience coastal flooding “due to tidal lock of the Ogun River by Lagos Lagoon from the natural rise in sea-level, coupled with the possible release of excessive water from Oyan dam.”
Other communities told to be wary of this natural menace are Alagbole, Warewa, Oke-Afa, Kara, Onihale and Ebute Kimobi among others.
The commissioner recalled that Nigeria as a nation recorded the worst-ever flood incidents in 2022, killing over 600 people and displacing about 2.4 million others.
He urged residents of 23 other flood-prone communities to take urgent precautions to avoid the negative impact of flooding.
He similarly alerted residents of Onikoko, Sokori and Arakanga areas in Abeokuta; Isaka Owode in Ado-Odo Ota; Ebute Kimobi in Ijebu East; Owa and Yemule riverbanks in Ijebu-Ode; Eruwuru in Sagamu; Owode, Igijo, Ilaro and Ijoko, to expect flash floods due to heavy rainfall within short periods.
Oresanya cautioned residents to desist from building on water channels and placement of structures and containers or extension of business premises on top of drains.
Farmers are also advised to complete their harvest in August and to avoid farming and livestock rearing in flood-prone areas to prevent the adverse effect of flooding during the second rainy season of the year.