The Ogun State Government has raised a fresh flood alert its third this year urging residents in riverbank and wetland communities to prepare for possible flooding between October 20 and November 3.

In a statement on Sunday, the Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Ola Oresanya, said the development follows the expected overflow of the Ogun River due to the controlled release of water from the Oyan Dam after heavy rainfall in northern parts of the country.

Oresanya warned that rising tidal levels could worsen the situation, advising residents to relocate temporarily or adopt preventive measures.

“Residents are advised to exercise caution and avoid loss of lives and property as the overflow becomes inevitable. Those living close to the riverbank should stay away, while residents in wetland areas should move to higher ground or elevate their living conditions for now,” he said.

Flood-prone communities identified by the government include Akute, Alagbole, Isheri, Magboro, Makogi, Orimerunmu, Iro, Kajola, and parts of Abeokuta such as Lafenwa, Enugada, Adedotun, Iberekodo, Akin-Olugbade, and Ago-Odo.

The commissioner disclosed that the state government, in partnership with the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority, has continued dredging and clearing waterways to reduce the impact of flooding. He noted that the Oyan Dam’s discharge rate has been carefully managed throughout the year to avoid major disasters.

According to him, the dam released about 12,000 million litres of water per day in 2025 significantly less than the 17,000 million litres per day recorded during the same period in 2024 attributing the improvement to the state’s “painstaking management of flood risks.”

Despite these efforts, Oresanya acknowledged that natural forces remain a major challenge.

“The state government’s mitigation measures cannot completely stop natural occurrences, especially as Ogun remains one of Nigeria’s coastal states feeling the full impact of climate change,” he said.

The commissioner assured residents that the situation is under control and that water levels are expected to recede within ten days after the controlled release ends. He appealed for calm, vigilance, and cooperation, while advising fish farmers in flood-prone areas to harvest their stock early to prevent losses.

He added that Ogun’s geographical position as a natural outlet for water flowing from northern Nigeria into the lagoon makes it especially vulnerable to flooding, reinforcing the need for proactive community response.