•Urges residents to take immediate precautions as heavy rainfall looms
The Oyo State Emergency Management Agency (OYOSEMA) has issued a flood alert for residents in Ibadan, specifically in Akinyele, Egbeda, and Oluyole Local Government Areas (LGAs), warning of the potential for flash flooding due to expected heavy rainfall within the next 24 hours.
In a statement released Friday afternoon, the agency’s Administrative Secretary, Mrs. Ojuolape Busari, said the latest forecast from the Flood Early Warning System indicates that some areas within the affected LGAs could receive more than 100mm (approximately four inches) of rainfall.
“The advice has become imperative to activate the concerned Local Government Authorities and communities to take necessary actions to mitigate the risk of flooding and avoid loss of lives, displacement, and significant damage to property and infrastructure,” Mrs. Busari stated.
According to the agency, the heaviest downpour is anticipated in the North-Eastern axis of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and areas around the airport. Specifically mentioned were IITA in Akinyele LGA, the Ibadan airport in Egbeda LGA, and the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) in Oluyole LGA.
SEMA warned that the anticipated rainfall could lead to flash flooding in low-lying areas, potentially rendering roads impassable and making driving conditions extremely dangerous.
“Turn around, don’t drown,” Mrs. Busari cautioned, urging residents to avoid driving or walking through flooded roads. She also advised those living in flood-prone areas to be ready to relocate to higher ground if necessary.
