Following the incidence of flooding already being experienced in the neighbourhood of Ajegunle and Kara, Lagos State government have asked all residents within Ogun River banks to relocate immediately.
The affected areas include: Alagbole, Meiran, Maidan, Kara, Isheri-Olowora, Agiliti, Owode-Onirin, Owode-Elede, Agboyi I, Agboyi II, Ajegunle, Itowolo, Majidun, Ibeshe, Baiyeku, Maidan, Lekki-Ajah and the Lagos Lagoon boundaries.
Lagos State Commissioner, Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said the latest alert was a follow up to a public statement issued by the Ogun-Osun River Basin Authority on Monday showing rainfall and average water released monthly for the Years 2021, 2022 and 2023 till mid October and warning of possible inundation by flooding, which is already happening.
Wahab said the alert showed that for the Year 2021, total rainfall was 969mm, while for 2022, it was 1,140mm when compared with the first 10 months of the year, rainfall amounted to 1,410.1mm, which was a significant rise.
“In addition, for the amount of water spilled by the River Basin Authority for the whole of 2021, it amounted to 1,140mcm, while for 2022, the amount of water spilled was slightly higher at 1,475.6mcm, while for the 10 months of this year a very significant 2,274 has been released with 532.2mcm and 348.7mcm released in September and October respectively,” he noted.
According to the statistical table released by the River Basin Authority, the amount of rainfall recorded from January to October 2023 (1,410.0mm) indicated that most of the rainfall expected in the area has fallen.
Likewise, the volume of water released from January to October 15, 2023 is more than the average synthesised yearly flow volume of 1770 Mcm against a gross storage of 27+90Mcm.
The commissioner said the utmost concern of the state government is safety of life and property of residents, which explains the urgent call for relocation by those affected.
Wahab added that the alert has become necessary because there is much water to be expected in October 2023 in addition to the heavy downpours that is usually associated with the months of September and December every year along Ogun River Basin and other related predictions and warning from Nigeria Metrological Services (NIMET), Nigeria Hydrological Services (NIHSA), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other related agencies.
The Commissioner reiterated his appeal to all residents across the state to be wary of the fact that Lagos is a coastal city and is bound to experience flash floods. “It is expedient for residents to cooperate with the state government in ensuring the success of measures put in place, including the early warning alert to mitigate the effects of flash flood,” Wahab said.
Also in preparation for the release of water from the Oyan dam, the Lagos State government has stepped up its multifaceted approach to mitigate the effects of flooding.
Wahab added that the state is also working to improve its flood prediction and early warning systems to keep the people informed and safe.
Meanwhile, the Emergency Flood Abatement Gang (EFAG) is still consistently working on black spots and intervening on some critical tertiary drains to enable them to discharge efficiently and act as retention basins.
“We appeal to residents to report cases of drainage blockages, dumping of waste into canals and other unauthorised places to our Resident Engineers offices statewide as their telephone numbers are available in the 57 local governments areas.”
