By YANJU UWALA
For the past three days within some communities in Abeokuta, Ogun State, rainfall has really been a panic to the people of these communities to the extent that even after the mighty outpouring, residents of these places were not able to get out of their houses, some even have had their properties carried away and destroyed, as a result of the rainfall and the flooding that might have resulted from the rainfall. When passing some of these communities and even seeing the pictures, it was indeed perplexing to see some of these flooding enveloping these places, not even within the communities in Abeokuta only, but also outside the state, like Lagos State, that is even a water area.
Communities such as; Adedotun (around Ansar-ud-deen Central Mosque), Abeokuta, Olokuta (Abeokuta South), Itesi-Ajabe Community, Somorin, Obantoko, Ebenezer Junction, Odo-Eran, and Akute Pipeline Ajuwon Road Axis, Ogun State, all experienced over flooding during these three days rainfall.
Over Flooding
Over flooding could be averted in many areas where flooding had wrecked havocs, if drainages are well done and connected. Taking Olokuta-Wole Soyinka Train Station as an example, house had drainages but due to the fact that it is not connected to another, the flood had to find another path to flow which usually lead to the road being flooded and making the road more deplorable.
The bridges should be looked into as well, many bridges are not serving its purpose because it is poorly built and not large enough to allow heavy water coming through many drainages to pass – at the end, the flood will overflow the bridge, enter houses, spoilt properties and at times take lives.
Therefore, as communities, we need to get ourselves oriented that as the climate patterns continue to change and rainfall intensifies, proactive flood management has become a critical necessity. Recognizing this, even though the Ogun State government has taken a bold and strategic approach to mitigate the risks of flooding and safeguard its residents. Through a combination of early warnings, infrastructure development, and public awareness campaigns.
While also maintaining this, the state government recently through the Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, addressed the public in Abeokuta, issuing an early flood alert as part of the government’s annual adaptation and mitigation strategy. This move aligns with the classifications of the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), which have identified Ogun as one of Nigeria’s major flood-prone states.
According to NIMET’s forecast, rainfall in Ogun State will range between 965mm and 1805mm this year, with a Little Dry Spell (LDS) expected from July 21st, lasting between 27 to 40 days. In addition, a severe dry spell exceeding 15 days may occur between April and June after the onset of rainfall. These predictions highlight the urgency of taking preventive measures to mitigate the risks of flooding.
Meanwhile, the government has also identified 16 local government areas as particularly vulnerable to flooding. Residents of Ijebu-Ode, Ota, Owode, Abeokuta, Onihale in Ifo, Sagamu, Iperu, and Ilishan are advised to remain vigilant, as flash floods are expected between March and July.
Additionally, those living in Isheri, Akute, Warewa, Oke-Afa, Owa, Yemule, Ifaara, Ebute-Oni, Ayede-Ayila, Makun, Iwopin, Igele in Ogun Waterside, Ebute-Imobi in Ijebu East, Sokori, Arakanga, Onikoko in Abeokuta, Eruwuru, Eri, Ibu, Majopa, Odan, Sensen in Sagamu, and Ijamido, Ilo, Erukomu, Isakale in Ado-Odo/Ota are strongly urged to relocate before the expected coastal flooding between September and November.
On a last note, Community Development Associations (CDAs) must also educate residents on proper waste disposal to prevent blocked drainage systems, not only on ways to earn money into the coffers of the CDAs or to elect new leaders.
As we all know that, “Raining season is not a curse, but a blessing”, therefore, we can turn the rainy season into an opportunity of blessing, growth, resilience and progress.
‘Yanju Uwala, is a journalist, writer and public affairs analyst. He is a graduate of Mass Communication (Online and Print) from Nigeria Institute of Journalism (NIJ), Lagos State.
