The Lagos State Government issued a fresh flood alert on Sunday, prompting some residents of the state to prepare for flooding in the month of September.
This alert followed the release of an updated 2023 Water Releases Forecast for Flood Control by the Ogun-Osun River Basin Authority.
In a statement by the Permanent Secretary of the Office of Drainage Services and Water Resources, Lekan Shodeinde, the affected catchment areas include Alagbole, Meiran, Maidan, Kara, Isheri-Olowora, Agiliti, Owode-Onirin, Owode-Elede, Agboyi I, Agboyi II, Ajegunle, Itowolo, Majidun, Ibeshe, Baiyeku, and Lekki-Ajah axis.
Shodeinde emphasized that the state government’s utmost concern is the safety of lives and properties of residents. He urged residents and property owners in the listed areas to be prepared to move upland when the water level rises, showing signs of flooding, as is advisable for all residents across the state.
He explained that the total amount of rainfall recorded from January to August 2023 (1,128.6mm) is higher than that of January to August in 2021 (713.4mm) and 2022 (848.1mm).
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The permanent secretary further noted that for the 12 months of 2021, 1,102mcm of water was spilled, while for the 12 months of 2022, a total of 1,475.6 mcm was spilled. In the first eight months of this year, a total of 1,393.1mcm has already been spilled by the River Basin Authority, indicating the likelihood of more water being released when factored with the remaining four months in 2023.
Shodeinde emphasized that the water levels of all tributaries, including the Oyan Dam, are rising, which contributes to the possibility of downstream flooding of the Ogun River. The same applies to all the channels and tributaries that discharge into the lagoon, which may experience tidal lock and flow back due to the high water level, leading to flash flooding.
He concluded by stating that the alert is necessary because much water is expected in September 2023, in addition to the heavy downpours typically associated with the months of September and December every year along the Ogun River Basin, along with other related predictions and warnings from Nigeria Metrological Services (NIMET), Nigeria Hydrological Services (NIHSA), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and other related agencies.