Osun Steps Up Flood Monitoring, Urges Residents To Prepare For More Rains

The Osun State Government has stepped up efforts to assess flood risks across the state as rainfall continues, urging residents to take preventive measures and heed official weather warnings to avert avoidable loss of lives and property.

The government said it was strengthening community-level assessments and coordination among relevant agencies to identify vulnerable locations and guide interventions aimed at reducing the impact of flooding.

The Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday, October 19, 2026, stressing the need for residents to remain alert as weather conditions continue to pose potential risks in some areas.

According to the statement, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), in a bulletin released on October 15, provided a three-day weather forecast covering October 16 to 18, including Osogbo, while further showers and possible thunderstorms were forecast for the Ede area over the coming days.

Against this backdrop, the government urged residents of low-lying communities and locations with a history of flooding to exercise caution, monitor changing conditions and respond promptly to safety advisories.

As part of the ongoing efforts, the Director-General and Special Envoy of Governor Ademola Adeleke on Climate Change and Renewable Energy had conducted a preliminary field assessment in Ede North Local Government Area ahead of a proposed stakeholder engagement on flood management.

The government explained that the exercise was intended to provide a clearer understanding of conditions in affected communities, identify areas requiring urgent attention and support evidence-based decisions on flood prevention and response.

It added that information gathered from the assessment would be considered alongside verified reports of flood incidents and relevant weather and hydrological data to guide collaboration among government agencies, local councils and residents.

The latest initiative builds on the flood-management directives issued by Governor Adeleke on October 1, 2026, which outlined measures to strengthen the state’s response to flooding.

The directives include assessing affected communities, inspecting damaged roads, bridges and culverts, clearing critical drainage channels, improving records of affected households and developing a long-term Osun State Flood and Stormwater Master Plan.

The state government noted that sustainable flood management required more than emergency responses, highlighting the importance of resilient infrastructure, regular drainage maintenance, proper waste disposal, effective land-use planning and reliable early-warning systems.

It called on community leaders, transport operators, businesses and residents to support the government’s efforts by reporting emerging hazards and complying with safety recommendations.

On immediate precautions, the government warned residents against walking, swimming or driving through floodwaters, explaining that the depth and strength of moving water could be difficult to assess.

Residents were also advised to clear drains and gutters around their homes and businesses, avoid dumping refuse into waterways and exercise caution when travelling during heavy rainfall.

Those living in flood-prone areas were urged to monitor rising water levels and move essential documents, valuables and other important belongings to safer locations when necessary.

The government further advised residents to report blocked drains, damaged culverts, unsafe bridges and rising floodwaters to relevant local government authorities and emergency responders without delay.

It stressed that anyone facing immediate danger from rapidly rising water should move to safer ground promptly rather than wait for another official announcement.

The statement reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening flood-risk assessment and inter-agency coordination to protect lives and livelihoods and improve the state’s resilience to flooding.

Residents were encouraged to follow verified advisories from NiMet, the Osun State Emergency Management Agency and other relevant authorities as the rainy conditions persist.