Oyo govt issues flood alert for three LGAs

…tasks residents in Akinyele, Egbeda, Oluyole on precautions

By Adejayan Gbenga –

The Oyo State Emergency Management Agency (OYOSEMA) has issued a flood alert for three Local Government Areas in Ibadan—Akinyele, Egbeda, and Oluyole—urging residents to take urgent precautions against possible flash floods.

In a statement released Friday, the agency’s Administrative Secretary, Mrs. Ojuolape Busari, said the advisory was based on the latest forecast from the Flood Early Warning System, which predicts heavy rainfall in the affected areas within the next 24 hours.

Mrs. Busari disclosed that rainfall may exceed 100mm, particularly around the North-East axis of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and the Ibadan Airport.

She noted that the warning aims to prompt authorities and communities to implement preventive measures to reduce the risk of flooding, displacement, and loss of lives or property.

“The heaviest downpour is expected in areas such as IITA (Akinyele), the airport (Egbeda), and the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) in Oluyole,” she said.

She warned that the downpour could lead to flash floods, making roads impassable and driving conditions extremely hazardous, with low-lying streets potentially submerged.

Mrs. Busari advised residents to avoid walking or driving through flooded roads, reinforcing the safety message: “Turn around, don’t drown.”

She also urged those in flood-prone areas to remain vigilant and be ready to relocate to safer ground if directed by emergency authorities.