The Oyo State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has issued an urgent alert, warning residents of Ibadan and surrounding communities to brace for heavy rainfall and the possibility of flooding, particularly in flood-prone areas of the state.
In a statement released on Tuesday in Ibadan, the Administrative Secretary of SEMA, Mrs. Ojuolape Busari, disclosed that data from the Oyo State Flood Early Warning System has identified several locations, especially to the east and northeast of Ibadan, as likely to experience the heaviest rainfall.
According to Busari, residents of Lagelu Local Government Area, particularly Iyana Offa and Moniya (eastern parts), as well as communities stretching eastward toward Osun State, are expected to be most affected. She also noted that some northern parts of Ibadan, especially eastern fringes of Egbeda LGA and areas bordering Lagelu LGA, will experience intense downpours.
“Communities along the Ibadan-Ife Road (A5 highway), such as Egbeda and adjoining eastern settlements, should expect significant rainfall today,” she said.
The forecast also includes moderate to heavy rainfall in large parts of the Ibadan Metropolis, covering eastern and central zones such as the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan Airport, University of Ibadan, Ojoo, Akobo, Basorun, Gate, Challenge, and Ring Road.
Other areas flagged in the alert include the eastern and central parts of Akinyele LGA and northeastern sections of Oluyole LGA.
Mrs. Busari assured that OYOSEMA, in collaboration with other government agencies, volunteer organizations, and civil society groups, is on standby to provide intervention and support for any community affected by the anticipated flooding.
“In simpler terms, if you are in or traveling through the eastern and northeastern parts of Ibadan today, especially along major roads heading east and north, you should be prepared for heavy rainfall which may lead to localized flooding,” she explained. “Even the central parts of Ibadan will not be spared.”
She urged residents to take precautionary measures without delay, advising, “Discretion is the better part of valour.”
The warning comes amid ongoing climate variability and increased rainfall patterns across southwestern Nigeria, reinforcing calls for proactive disaster management at the local level.
