Rainy season alert: Oyo SEMA warns residents of flooding

Stanley Ihedigbo

Residents of flood-prone areas in Oyo State have been put on high alert by the Oyo State Emergency Management Agency as heavy rainfall and potential flooding loom.

In a statement made available to newsmen in Ibadan by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Oyo State, Prince Dotun Oyelade, the Administrative Secretary, SEMA, Mrs. Ojuolape Busari, said reports from the Oyo state Flood Early Warning System indicated that the areas to the east and northeast of Ibadan city centre are likely to experience the heaviest rainfall

She said this includes parts of Lagelu Local Government Area (LGA), especially areas like Iyana Offa, Moniya (eastern parts), and communities further east towards Osun State.

Busari said, according to the information made available by the Oyo state Flood Early Warning System, some parts of the north of Ibadan city, possibly parts of Egbeda LGA (eastern edges) and areas bordering Lagelu LGA, will experience heavy rainfall today.

“Communities along the Ibadan-Ife Road (A5 highway) eastward: Areas like Egbeda and further east on this major road will also experience heavy rainfall.

According to her, areas with moderate to Heavy Rainfall, determined by the Flood Early Warning System, and ascertained by Google Maps, will encompass most of Ibadan Metropolis (eastern and central parts).

This includes areas like IITA itself, the Ibadan Airport, the University of Ibadan, Ojoo, Akobo, Basorun, Gate, Challenge, Ring Road, and many other densely populated areas within the city.

Parts of Akinyele LGA, especially the eastern and central parts, parts of Oluyole LGA, Northeastern sections too.

She assured that OYOSEMA and other relevant agencies of government, voluntary agencies, and civil society groups are prepared to intervene and ameliorate the plight of persons and communities who might be affected.

Busari added, “In simpler terms, if you are in or traveling through the eastern and northeastern parts of Ibadan today, particularly areas along the major roads heading east and north, you should expect significant rainfall, potentially leading to heavy downpours and associated impacts like localized flooding. The central parts of Ibadan will also see considerable rain.”

She therefore urged people of the state to immediately commence preparations to avert dire consequences, saying, “discretion is the better part of valour”.