Ogun govt warns residents of imminent flooding in July, September
HANNAH AKINOLA, ABEOKUTA
Ogun State Government has warned residents of imminent flooding in July and September of this year and urged them, especially those living at River banks and flood prone areas to relocate to safe areas.
A statement signed by the Special Adviser to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Environment Ola Oresanya, cautioned the residents of the state against consequences of flood flash and disclosed that the State would experience flooding between 8 and 15 July.
Oresanya, while referring to the report from the Nigerian Hydrological Service Agency (NIHSA), said the flooding had already been witnessed in some parts of the State.
He reminded the residents of the devastating effctsy of flood in the previous years in the State and warned them to prepare adequately for the flash floods this month and in September.
The SA explained that the State was expecting high intensity rainfall in September 2021 which might result in river flooding and that this might be complicated with the release of water from the Oyan Dam.
He has advised people living in the areas where the flood might wreck havoc like Abeokuta South LG, Abeokuta North LG, Obafemi Owode LG, Ijebu- ode LG, Ifo LG, Odeda LG among others to prepare ahead and do away with any activity that might worsen the flood.
He said, “Also a high intensity rainfall is being expected in September, 2021 that will result in fluvial flood (river flood) because the soil would have been saturated by then and likely release of water from Oyan Dam will compound the rise in water level.
“In view of the above, residents of flood prone and wetland areas across the State, especially at Abeokuta South LG ( Gbangba, Ijaye, Ijeun Tuntun, Isale-Oja, Kuto, Amolaso, Ijeja etc); Abeokuta North LG (Adedotun, Ago-Ika, Enugada, Totoro, Onikoko etc); and Obafemi Owode LG (Adigbe, Ofada, Magboro etc); Ijebu-Ode LG (Owa River Course and Yemule River Course); Ifo LG (Isheri, Wawa, Arepo, Akute, Alagbole etc); Odeda LG (Obantoko, Arakanga river and tributaries Ewekoro, Ado-Odo/Ota, Sagamu, Ijebu–East, and Ogun Waterside are hereby advised to temporarily make provision for a safe environment to avoid severe impact of this natural event.
“Farmers around the wetlands and river banks are also strongly advised to complete their harvesting before the above stated time to avert loss of their livestock and crops to flooding.”
