SEMA Issues Flood Alert for Three LGAs in Oyo State

The Oyo State Emergency Management Agency (OYOSEMA) has issued a flash flood alert for residents of Akinyele, Egbeda, and Oluyole Local Government Areas in Ibadan, urging them to take precautionary measures ahead of expected heavy rainfall.

In a statement released Friday, OYOSEMA’s Administrative Secretary, Mrs. Ojuolape Busari, warned that the Flood Early Warning System forecasts over 100mm of rain within the next 24 hours in these areas, particularly around the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), the airport, and the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN).

Mrs. Busari emphasized the risk of rapid flooding in low-lying areas, potential road closures, and hazardous driving conditions. She advised residents to avoid driving or walking through floodwaters and to move to higher ground if necessary.

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The alert comes amid broader state efforts to mitigate flooding, including the dredging of 11 rivers across Oyo State and the deployment of a technological Early Warning System to provide timely flood warnings.

Residents are urged to heed the warning and prepare accordingly to avoid loss of lives and property.

Key advice from OYOSEMA:

• Expect heavy rainfall and possible flash floods in Akinyele, Egbeda, and Oluyole LGAs.
• Avoid floodwaters; “Turn around, don’t drown.”
• Prepare to relocate to safer areas if instructed.
• Exercise caution on roads, as flooding may make travel dangerous.

This alert aligns with national forecasts warning of increased flood risks across multiple Nigerian states this year.