This warning is part of the government’s regular flood alerts, aimed at reducing the effects of flooding on residents.
According to the Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, the Ogun River is expected to overflow because of the controlled release of water from Oyan Dam, which has become necessary due to heavy rainfall in northern parts of the country. He explained that more rainwater is flowing into the dam, and this will increase the water level, forcing the release of water downstream.
Residents in the affected areas have been advised to be careful, stay away from riverbanks, and move to higher grounds if they live in low-lying areas, to prevent loss of lives and property.
Oresanya noted that the state government has been working with the Ogun-Osun River Basin Authority (which manages the Oyan Dam) to regularly dredge the river and open more channels to reduce flooding. He said that last year, over 17,000 million litres of water were released daily from the dam, compared to 12,000 million litres this year — showing efforts to manage the situation better.
He assured residents that there is no need to panic, as the water level is expected to drop after about ten days. However, he reminded everyone that climate change continues to make flooding more likely, especially since Ogun is a coastal state.
Finally, the Commissioner advised fish farmers in the affected areas to harvest their fish early to avoid losses from the expected overflow.
The Ogun State Government has warned people living near rivers and wetlands in Akute, Alagbole, Isheri, Magboro, Makogi, Orimerunmu, Iro, Kajola, and some parts of Abeokuta such as Lafenwa, Enugada, Adedotun, Iberekodo, Akin-Olugbade, and Ago-Odo to get ready for possible flooding from the Ogun River between October 20 and November 3.
This warning is part of the government’s regular flood alerts, aimed at reducing the effects of flooding on residents.
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According to the Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, the Ogun River is expected to overflow because of the controlled release of water from Oyan Dam, which has become necessary due to heavy rainfall in northern parts of the country. He explained that more rainwater is flowing into the dam, and this will increase the water level, forcing the release of water downstream.
Residents in the affected areas have been advised to be careful, stay away from riverbanks, and move to higher grounds if they live in low-lying areas, to prevent loss of lives and property.
Oresanya noted that the state government has been working with the Ogun-Osun River Basin Authority (which manages the Oyan Dam) to regularly dredge the river and open more channels to reduce flooding. He said that last year, over 17,000 million litres of water were released daily from the dam, compared to 12,000 million litres this year — showing efforts to manage the situation better.
He assured residents that there is no need to panic, as the water level is expected to drop after about ten days. However, he reminded everyone that climate change continues to make flooding more likely, especially since Ogun is a coastal state.
Finally, the Commissioner advised fish farmers in the affected areas to harvest their fish early to avoid losses from the expected overflow.
