Ogun State Government has issued another flood alert the third this year, warning residents living along riverbanks and wetlands to brace up for possible overflow of the Ogun River in the coming days.
According to the State Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, the overflow is expected between October 20th and November 3rd, following the controlled release of water from the Oyan Dam.
The development, he explained, is due to heavy rainfall in the northern parts of the country, which has increased the volume of water flowing into the dam a situation that could be worsened by rising tidal levels.
The areas likely to be affected include Akute, Alagbole, Isheri, Magboro, Makogi, Orimerunmu, Iro, Kajola, and parts of Abeokuta such as Lafenwa, Enugada, Adedotun, Iberekodo, Akin-Olugbade, and Ago-Odo.
Oresanya advised residents in these communities to exercise caution, stay away from riverbanks, and those living in wetlands to move to higher grounds to avoid loss of lives and property.
He noted that the state government, in collaboration with the Ogun-Osun River Basin Authority, has continued dredging and opening up more tributaries of the Ogun River to reduce the impact of flooding on residents.
The Commissioner added that unlike last year when over 17,000 million litres of water were released daily from the dam, the current release stands at 12,000 million litres per day, reflecting more careful control measures.
He, however, urged residents not to panic, assuring that water levels are expected to subside within ten days, even as the state continues to feel the effects of climate change as one of Nigeria’s coastal states.
Oresanya also appealed to fish farmers in the affected areas to harvest their stock immediately to prevent losses.
The Ogun State Government says it remains committed to mitigating the impact of flooding, even as it urges residents to stay alert and adhere to safety advisories.
