OGUN State government has issued a flood alert to residents of the state to be vigilant and careful of their environment as one of the major flood-prone areas in Nigeria, according to the classification made available by the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).
The Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, who stated this at a news conference on Thursday in Abeokuta, said the flood alert was part of the ministry’s adaptation and mitigation strategies to enlighten the citizens of the state of the vulnerability of various settlements and communities around the state.
He said the ministry every year must issue flood alerts to residents towards raising their consciousness about floods and their adverse impacts on the environment and socioeconomic life of the people.
He said: “As part of our adaptation and mitigation strategies, an annual flood alert is issued by the Ministry of Environment to inform and enlighten the citizens of the extent of vulnerability of various settlements and communities in the state. This we have continued to do in the last four years with a positive impact.
“This year, NIMET in its predictions highlights the likelihood of heavy downpour with intensity ranging from 965mm to 1805mm which raises concern for communities nationwide that are already vulnerable to flooding and its possible impact. The rainfall predictions for Ogun State commenced early this month, March while Little Dry Spell (LDS) is expected in the state from the 21st of July, and it will last between 27 to 40 days.
“In addition, NIMET predictions show that in April – June, there is likely to be a Severe Dry Spell above 15 days after the establishment of rainfall. The prediction also identified 16 local government areas as flood-prone zones.
“To mitigate the impact of two the seasons of flood in the state, the state government in the last 5 years have de-silted 988.3km of rivers/streams, and drainage channels; constructed 698m in length of concrete drainages and culverts of various cross-sections.”
Eighteen-Eleven Media