The Ogun State Government has appealed to residents not to panic over the ongoing flash flood across parts of the state, saying it is a natural occurrence associated with the rainy season.
In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Ola Oresanya, the government urged residents to remain calm and adhere to safety tips that would help reduce the impact of the flood.
He advised residents to stay indoors whenever it is raining, or remain in a safe location if caught in transit.
“Motorists and commuters must avoid the temptation of driving or walking through flood paths until the water recedes, which usually happens within an hour or two,” he stated.
Oresanya also urged households and community leaders to clear all blockages along drainage channels and canals to allow easy flow of water.
While warning that more torrential rainfall is expected in the next three weeks marking the first peak of the rainy season, he encouraged residents to reach out to the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) or flood response teams in their nearest local government in case of any emergency.
He added that Community Development Associations (CDAs) have been mobilised to serve as first responders to flood-related emergencies within their localities.