Ogun government raises alarm over imminent flooding

THE Ogun State Government on Wednesday raised alarm over imminent flooding in the state, as predicted by the Nigerian Metrological Agency (NiMet) in the 2017 raining season.

Disclosing this at a news conference was the state commissioner for Environment, Mr Bolaji Oyeneye, who warned residents of the state to desist from dumping refuse on the water ways to avoid flooding.

Oyeneye stated that Ogun alongside Sokoto, Zamfara, Niger, Kwara, Oyo and Adamawa would experience above normal rainfall in the year.

He noted that the flood could be aggravated by the release of water from the Oyan and Ikere Gorge dams in the state.

The commissioner said that the predicted length of growing season for the state falls within 250-287 days.

Oyeneye also further said that NiMet predicted that many Nigerians would experience “above danger heat stress” due to the combination of heat and humidity.

“As a government, we thought it is wise to sensitise our people of what is expected in this rainy season. We are expected to experience flooding because rainfall will be above normal as predicted by NiMet.

“We expected our people to keep a clean and safe environment. The rain has started. It started late March and it is expected to subside by November. Our people should cultivate the habit of not dumping refuse into the water ways.

“The Nigerian Metrological Agency predicted that many Nigerians would likely experience “above danger heat stress” this year due to combination of heat and humidity. The impact is that exposure to excessive heat for too long could cause heat stress”,which may in turn lead to several illness collectively called “hyperthermia.”

He urged residents of the state to take large quantity of water at regular intervals to guide against heat exhaustion.