The Ogun state government has warned residents of Akte, Isheri, Mowe, Ibafo, Riverside Estate and other border areas between Lagos and Ogun to relocate to avoid another flood disaster.
State Environment Commissioner Ola Olesanya sounded alarm bells at a press conference in Abeokuta on Wednesday after a series of floods in the state claimed lives and property. Olesanya said the warning was made mandatory after the Nigerian Meteorological Agency issued a flood warning for him in 2023.
The agency is forecasting flooding in the coastal areas of the state, citing the tidal closure of the Lagos Lagoon’s Ogun River due to natural sea-level rise, coupled with the potential for excessive water discharge from the Oyang Dam, he said. said. The state of Olesanya has warned its citizens to prepare for flash floods as 3,6 6 mm of rain is expected from April through November. He recalled that the country recorded the worst-ever flood incidents in 2022 which killed over 600 people and displaced about 2. million persons.
The state also warned residents of 23 other communities prone to flood to urgently take precautions to alleviate the impact of flooding. The commissioner said, “Residents are advised to desist from the temptation of building on run-off routes and the placement of temporary structures and containers or extension of business premises on top of drains in markets and public places.
“In preparation for the inevitable impact of the natural pattern of rainfall predicted for the year 2023, residents of Onikoko, Sokori and Arakanga areas in Abeokuta; Owa and Yemule riverbanks in Ijebu-Ode; Eruwuru in Sagamu; Ebute Kimobi in Ijebu East; Isaka Owode in Ado-Odo Ota; Owode; Igijo; Ilaro and Ijoko should expect flash floods due to heavy rainfall within short periods. “
The second season of rainfall will have a prolonged impact on wetlands such as Alagbole, Akute, Isheri, Warewa, Oke-Afa, Mowe, Ibafo, Kara, Onihale, Ebute Kimobi and Riverside Estate. “These areas will experience coastal flooding due to the tidal closure of the Ogun River by the Lagos Lagoon due to natural sea level rise, coupled with the potential for excessive water discharge from the Oya Dam.
should be prepared to temporarily move out of these areas during the second wet season if necessary. “Furthermore, farmers across the state are encouraged to avoid farming and ranching along the flood plains to complete harvest in August and avoid the negative effects of heavy flooding in the second rainy season.”
