Ogun State government has issued a flood alert to residents to remain vigilant in view of experts predictions about this year’s rainfall.
The Commissioner for Environment, Mr Ola Oresanya told journalists in Abeokuta that the alert was imperative due to the state’s classification as a major flood prone area in the country, according to the Nigeria Meteorological Agency, NIMET, and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, NIHSA.
Mr Oresanya said the predictions also identified 16 local government areas of the state as flood prone zones and urged the residents to be wary of flash flood expected between March and July this year while advising others to relocate to safer grounds before the coastal flood between September and November.
He advised the 20 Local Government Councils to domesticate the NIMET weather prediction in local languages and educate residents on the need for proper planning towards the rainy season.
Mr Oresanya also advised farmers to maximize the benefits of the 2025 raining season for food production by following the rainfall prediction pattern for planning in line with the weather forecast to prevent damage to their crops and livestock.
The Commissioner promised that the government would collaborate with other relevant bodies, particularly the Ogun Osun River Basin Authority to mitigate the impact of the overflow of Ogun River on vulnerable wet land communities.
He also said the State Emergency Management Authority, SEMA had been equipped in case of emergency evacuation to designated camps for Internally Displaced Persons, located in strategic places around the State.
