Flood: Ogun govt urges residents of Ota, Ijebu-ode, 14 other LGAs to relocate

The Ogun State government has instructed residents of 16 local government areas to relocate or create higher elevations within their residences before the rain commences fully.

In a press conference at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, the Ogun state Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, made it known that the 2024 flood would affect 16 LGAs out of the 20 LGAs in the state.

The Federal Government notified 31 states, including Ogun State, about the impending flooding between April and November this year.

“Of the 20 local government areas of the state, 16 are expected to have the highest rainfall with over 1700mm, while those with the lowest rainfall are Imeko Afon (1541mm), Odeda (1658mm), Abeokuta North (1675mm), and Abeokuta-South (1699mm).’’

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The local governments expected to experience more downpours of rainfall include Ado-Odo/Ota, Ewekoro, Ifo, Ijebu East, Ijebu North, Ijebu North-East, Ijebu Ode, Ikenne, Ipokia, Obafemi Owode, Odogbolu, Ogun Waterside, Remo North, Shagamu, Yewa North, Yewa South.

Oresanya advised residents living in flood-prone areas to consider relocating to safer ground or creating higher elevations within their residences as the rainy season begins.

However, he urged the residents to remain calm as the state government is putting measures in place to cushion the effects of the expected heavy rainfall and prevent destruction of life and property through extensive drainage channels, rivers, and streams channels.