Osun Flood: Adeleke Orders Emergency Assessments, Launches Flood Watch Initiative

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has issued fresh directives to tackle flooding across the state, ordering immediate assessments of affected communities, emergency interventions on damaged infrastructure and the development of a comprehensive flood-monitoring system.

The measures, according to a statement signed by the Governor’s Spokesperson Mallam Olawale Rasheed, are designed to address the immediate impact of flooding while strengthening the state’s preparedness for future incidents.

In a directive announced on Thursday, the governor instructed relevant ministries and agencies to work together to determine the extent of damage, identify affected households and establish the urgent needs of communities hit by the floods.

The affected local governments are to submit verified reports covering flood locations, households affected, damaged infrastructure and assistance required.

The Ministry of Works is to inspect damaged roads, bridges and culverts and introduce emergency safety measures where necessary. The Ministries of Environment and OWMA are also to begin clearing critical waterways, drainage channels and culvert entrances to improve water flow.

Meanwhile, the Osun State Emergency Management Agency has been directed to coordinate emergency assistance and compile a verified register of affected households.

Beyond immediate relief, Adeleke ordered an audit of flood-control infrastructure projects carried out from 2020 to date, as part of efforts to assess existing interventions and strengthen future flood-management planning.

The government will also begin developing an Osun State Flood and Stormwater Master Plan, supported by technical assessments of drainage catchments, while OSUN FLOOD WATCH will be established as an integrated platform for early warnings and community reports.

The governor further directed the preparation of a climate-risk and flood incident intelligence report, alongside a register for assessing the structural and hydraulic safety of bridges and culverts across the state.

The Ministry of Works is also expected to intensify enforcement against developments that obstruct waterways, drainage corridors and floodways.

All relevant ministries and agencies are required to submit their initial implementation reports within 14 days, with monthly progress reports to follow for the remainder of the rainy season.

According to the governor, the initiative is intended to move the state beyond emergency responses towards a permanent system capable of managing flood risks and building climate resilience.

“The objective of this directive is not merely to respond to the present flood events but to establish a permanent, data-driven and climate-resilient flood-management system for Osun State,” the statement quoted Adeleke as saying.