The Ogun State Government has issued a strong warning to residents of flood-prone communities along major rivers and coastal areas to immediately relocate to safer grounds, as heavy rainfall, river overflow, and sea-level rise are expected to trigger widespread flooding in the coming weeks.
Communities placed on high alert include Isheri, Warewa, Akute, parts of Abeokuta, Ayetoro, Itele, Iju, Makun, Oni, Iwopin, Igele, Ifaara (Ogun Waterside), Ebute-Imobi (Ijebu East), Tungeji Island, and Agosasa in Ipokia Local Government Area.
According to a midterm flood alert issued by the State Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, flooding in these areas will be driven by overflow from the Ogun, Ilo, Iju, Owa, and Yemule rivers, as well as tidal lock and sea water rise.
The situation will be further worsened by inflows from the northern part of Nigeria and neighbouring countries such as Benin Republic, which eventually empty into the downstream areas of Ogun and Lagos States.
Oresanya cautioned that the impact of the Ogun River overflow could be aggravated by water releases from Oyan Dam, stressing that the situation falls within the second phase of the annual flooding season, which typically occurs between September and November.
Heavy Rainfall Forecast
The commissioner cited predictions from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET), which projects that:
September will record the heaviest rainfall at 204mm,
October will see 190mm,
November will drop to 93mm as intensity declines.
He said the expected overflow would last for about two weeks, requiring urgent precautions by residents.
State Response and Safety Measures
Oresanya assured residents that the government is fully prepared. The State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has been placed on red alert for possible evacuations and has set up temporary emergency camps across the state.
The Ministry of Environment, he added, is also working closely with the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority to manage water releases from the Oyan Dam in order to minimise downstream impact.
Health and Livelihood Precautions
Residents in affected communities were advised to avoid using borehole and well water during the flooding period, as they risk contamination from floodwaters and tidal variations.
Oresanya also issued a strong advisory to fish farmers operating along floodplains to harvest their stock immediately, warning that otherwise they risk losing their investment to rising waters.
Specifically, farmers at Eriwe and Yemule in Ijebu Ode, Ilase, and Ayegbami in Yewa were urged to act without delay.
“The government is doing its part to mitigate the risks, but residents must also take responsibility for their safety and livelihoods. We urge all at-risk communities to relocate now and adhere strictly to safety advisories,” Oresanya said.
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