Abeokuta, Ogun – In a proactive measure to safeguard lives and property amid predictions of severe flooding, the Ogun State Government has issued a stern advisory to residents in communities bordering the Ogun, Ilo, Iju, Owa, and Yemule Rivers, as well as coastal zones, to evacuate to safer grounds.

The relocation window spans from the last week of September through the second week of October, as heavy rainfall and potential water releases from upstream dams threaten widespread inundation.

The alert, detailed in the state's 2025 Midterm Flood Alert Press Statement released on Sunday, September 14, highlights the risks posed by overflow from these rivers and rising sea levels along the coastline.

Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Ola Oresanya, emphasized that the situation could be exacerbated by inflows from northern Nigeria and neighboring countries like Benin, compounded by possible discharges from the Oyan Dam managed by the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority (OORBDA).

Affected communities include Isheri, Warewa, Akute, parts of Abeokuta, Ayetoro, Itele, and Iju along the riverbanks; and coastal areas such as Makun, Oni, Iwopin, Igele, Ifaara in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area (LGA), Ebute-Imobi in Ijebu East LGA, Tungeji Island, and Agosasa in Ipokia LGA.

Oresanya warned that failure to relocate could lead to devastating impacts, including loss of lives, property damage, and contamination of water sources.

"Residents in these areas are advised to avoid using boreholes and well water during this period, as they are prone to pollution from flooding and tidal variations," the commissioner stated in the release.

He also urged fish farmers along floodplains statewide—particularly in Eriwe, Yemule, Ilase, and Ayegbami in Yewa—to harvest their stocks immediately to prevent losses.

The government's response underscores its ongoing commitment to flood mitigation. Over the past five years, Ogun State has de-silted 988.3 kilometers of rivers, streams, and drainage channels, and constructed 698 meters of concrete drainages and culverts across the state.

Current projects include creating additional tributaries for the Ogun River and completing the dredging of the Opa Aro River in vulnerable wetlands like Isheri, Akute, and Warewa.

The Ministry of Environment is collaborating with OORBDA to minimize the downstream effects of any Oyan Dam releases.

Furthermore, the Ogun State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) is on high alert, preparing temporary emergency camps for evacuees.

"We assure residents that the state is fully prepared for any emergencies, but proactive relocation is key to avoiding havoc," Oresanya added.

This midterm alert builds on an earlier 2025 flood warning issued in March, which identified 16 LGAs as high-risk zones based on forecasts from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).

Ogun State remains one of Nigeria's most flood-prone regions, with rainfall projections indicating intensities between 965mm and 1,805mm this year.Residents have been urged to heed the advisory promptly, with local authorities mobilizing sensitization campaigns.

As the rainy season intensifies, the focus remains on community cooperation to ensure safety and resilience against climate-driven disasters.