Flooding - Radio Nigeria Ibadan Zonal Station

Foreign

Kenya Flood Death Toll Rises to 62

By Web News 15 March 2026 520

At least 62 people have died in Kenya over the past week after heavy rains triggered widespread flooding across the country.

Authorities say the latest figure marks an increase from the previous death toll of 42 reported a week earlier.

Emergency responders carried out several rescue operations overnight in the capital, Nairobi.

According to the Kenya Red Cross, 11 passengers were rescued after a minibus taxi, locally known as a matatu, became trapped in rising floodwaters, while two children were also saved from a flooded house.

The heavy rainfall has caused flash floods in several parts of the country, with rivers bursting their banks and inundating homes, roads, and electricity and water infrastructure.

Kenya Interior Ministry warned that many regions are still experiencing heavy rains, raising the risk of further flooding.

Authorities have urged residents in low-lying areas to relocate to safer ground, while more than 2,000 people have already been displaced and are seeking temporary shelter.

Police say search and rescue operations are ongoing following what they described as “torrential rain and subsequent devastating flooding” affecting various parts of the country.

More than half of the fatalities — 33 — have been recorded in Nairobi, where poor drainage systems and blocked waterways caused by unregulated development have worsened the flooding.

President William Ruto said emergency food supplies and medical assistance were being delivered to affected communities, while authorities were also working to clear blocked drainage systems.

The flooding has also affected neighbouring Ethiopia, where more than 100 people have died following floods and landslides in the southern part of the country.

Experts say climate change is increasing the likelihood of extreme rainfall events.

Global temperatures have already risen by about 1.1°C since the industrial era, and scientists warn that temperatures will continue to climb unless countries significantly cut greenhouse gas emissions.

BBC/Edited by Maxwell Oyekunle

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Environment

Flooding: OGHA Seeks Residents’ Collaboration

By Web News 20 August 2025 232

By Omolara Adasofunjo

The Speaker,Ogun State House of Assembly, Mr Oludaisi Elemide has re-emphasised the need for residents to avoid dumping refuse in drainage channels to avoid flooding.

Mr Elemide stated this at the assembly complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta while interacting with the State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr Ade Akinsanya, and his Environment counterpart, Mr. Ola Oresanya, on the need to provide clarifications on some ongoing road projects and environmental control measures to prevent incidents of flash flood in the State.

The speaker said it was imperative for individuals to imbibe a standard waste disposal culture to prevent flooding and pollution challenges in the State.

Earlier in his response, the Commissioner for Environment, Mr Oresanya had explained that the Ministry had intensified efforts to tackle flooding through massive dredging of drainage channels across the State.

On his part, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr Akinsanya, assured the lawmakers that all ongoing road projects were being monitored to ensure speedy completion immediately the rains subside.

He promised that the Ministry would furnish the House with a comprehensive list of road projects earmarked for rehabilitation, reconstruction, and maintenance under the current fiscal year.

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Environment

Senate Calls for Implementation of Recommendations on Flooding

By Web News 27 October 2023 441

The Senate on Thursday urged President Bola Tinubu to implement the recommendations of the Presidential Committee for the Development of a Comprehensive Plan of Action against Flooding.

The committee had recommended the establishment of a National Flood Management Council in Nigeria.

The agency is expected to serve as a central body responsible for coordinating flood management activities nationwide.

The Senate resolution followed the adoption of a motion by Senator Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru (Lagos East).

The red chamber commiserated with victims of the flood and commended the governments of Lagos and Ogun states for their handling of the crisis occasioned by the flood.

The Senate also directed the National Emergency Management Agency to send relief materials to the victims of the flood in the affected communities in the two states.

It urged the Federal Government to convene a stakeholders’ meeting to x-ray the recurring situation of floods across the country to proffer a lasting solution

It also directed the relevant committees of the Senate to provide adequate funding for NIMET, the Hydrological Agency of Nigeria, and the River Basin Development Authorities to effectively carry out their responsibilities in line with their mandates,

In his motion, Abiru noted that several communities close to the coastlines in Ikosi-Isheri and Agboyi-Ketu in Lagos State and other communities in Ogun State have always experienced flooding whenever the Oyan River Dams are opened.

Part of the motion reads, “The recent release of water from the dam caused unimaginable havoc to residents’ property and livelihoods, particularly on Tuesday, October 24, 2023;

“The dam which crosses the Oyan River, a tributary of the Ogun River was commissioned on March 29, 1983, by Late President Shehu Shagari, and is operated by the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority, a parastatal under the Federal Ministry of Water Resources;

“The residents of the areas have fled their homes and businesses, schools and religious centres have all shut down in the affected communities while in the Maidan area of Ikosi-Isheri, the water reportedly reached the neck region of an adult;

“The sad story is not different from the reports gathered at Caterpillar, Harmony Estates, and some parts of Channels TV road in Ikosi Isheri.”

Punch/Simeon Ugbodovon

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Environment

Wells, Boreholes Contaminated, Ogun Govt. Tells Flooded Communities

By Web News 28 October 2022 593

Ogun State Government has cautioned residents of lowlands areas affected by flooding including Isheri, Warewa, Magboro, and Arepo among others not to drink from well and borehole waters in the areas to prevent cholera and other waterborne diseases.

The state Commissioner for Environment, Mr Ola Oresanya gave the caution when he visited the border towns with a view to finding an immediate solution to the problem.

He said the appeal became necessary as the flood had contaminated the water sources and facilities through chemical contaminants such as fuel, pesticides, and metals as well as pathogens in sewage, cemeteries, septic tanks and dead animals.

The commissioner announced that the state government will embark on another round of dredging and clearing of drainage channels and waterways in the affected areas.

Mr. Oresanya blamed the flooding on uncontrolled development and the carefree attitude of some residents to critical environmental issues such as waste management.

The Commissioner also debunk the rumour going around that the excess release of water from Oyan Dam in Abeokuta led to flooding in the border towns.

Wale Oluokun

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Environment

Flooding: Lagos Govt to Divert Traffic In Ogba

By Web News 27 June 2022 771

The Lagos State Government will on Tuesday, June 28 divert the traffic along Oba Ogunji Road, Ogba for one week for the installation of a precast concrete culvert across Metal Box Road.

The Commissioner for Transportation in the state, Dr Frederic Oladeinde, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, saying that the diversion would continue till Tuesday, July 5.

He stated that the diversion was necessary to provide lasting solutions to the flooding issues on some roads in the metropolis.

While advising motorists in the affected area to utilise Acme, Wempco, Akilo, and Ijaiye roads to connect to their desired destinations, the commissioner noted that only Metal Box Road would be barricaded from traffic, stressing that the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) would be on the ground to manage movement and minimise inconveniences.

Oladeinde called for more understanding from motorists, noting that the current weather conditions had necessitated such steps.

Channels/Olaolu Fawole

Environment

Flood Alert: Ogun Govt. Advises Wetland Residents to Relocate

By Web News 29 June 2021 1236

Residents of flood prone and wetland areas across Ogun State have been advised to temporarily make provision for safe environments to avoid severe impact of flooding in the areas.

The Special Adviser to the Ogun state Governor on Environment, Mr. Ola Oresanya gave the advice in Abeokuta in a statement issued on the flood threats across the country.

The special adviser listed flood prone communities to be affected by flood in Abeokuta to imclude Gbangba, Ijaye, Ijeun Tuntun, Isale-Oja, and Kuto.

Other listed communities prone to flood in Abeokuta include Amolaso, Ijeja, Adedotun, Ago-Ika, Enugada, Totoro, Onikoko and Adigbe.

The statement also listed other floor prone communities in ogun state to include Ofada, Magboroas well as Owa River Course and Yemule River Course in Ijebu Ode among others.

The government also advised Farmers around the wetlands and river banks across the state to complete their harvesting on time to avert loss of their livestock and crops to flooding.

Mr. Ola Oresanya also urged pedestrian and motorists to be cautious on the road while walking and driving to avoid accidents as the roads will witness high volume of storm water that will subside within minutes.

Wale Oluokun

Environment

Flood Ravages Homes in Ekiti

By Web News 9 October 2020 1571

Some Residents of Ekiti State have been rendered homeless while property worth millions of Naira were destroyed following a heavy downpour that lasted for about four hours across towns and villages.

The rain, which resulted in heavy flooding, pulled down some structures and submerged many streets in Omisanjana, NTA Road, Oriapata, Poly road, Elemi all in Ado-Ekiti the state capital.

Report from Ilawe Ekiti also indicated that many parts of the ancient town were affected including the palace of the Alawe of Ilawe Ekiti, Oba Ajibade Alabi.

According to the Media adviser to the monarch, many rivers and streams in the town overflowed their banks, as a result, many Farmers could not go to their farms due to the flooding

In Ado Ekiti, Radio Nigeria Correspondent Oriola Afolabi reports that major streets were flooded, while some residents had been sacked from their houses.

Some of the victims could not hold back their tears as they cried profusely.

A community leader, Sir Lawrence Eegunjobi, who expressed shock at the level of damage done by the flood, called on the state government to come to the aid of those rendered homeless by the flood as a matter of urgency.

Another community leader, Chief Sesan Ojo said several houses had been washed away by the flood and urged government to assist in addressing some factors responsible for incessant flooding in the state.

The Alawe of Ilawe Ekiti, Oba Ajibade Alabi who is also the chairman, Council of Traditional Rulers in Ekiti State, blamed the ravage flood on lack of drainage and good layout in some streets across the state.

Oba Alabi whose palace’s fence was pulled down by the flood, urged government to assist landlords and residents of his town who were now left with nothing due to the ugly development.

During an unscheduled visit to some of the affected areas, the Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, promised that government would do everything possible to avert such occurrence in the nearest future.

Otunba Egbeyemi directed the local government chairman of Ekiti Southwest, Mr Kolade Amire to look at the affected areas and report back to his office.

The Ekiti State Deputy Governor, who sympathised with the victims, said measures had been put in place by administration of Governor Kayode Fayemi to assist the flood victims.

He urged residents to always support government’s efforts to prevent flood in the society.

Environment

NEMA Boss Advocates Tree Planting as Panacea to Flooding

By Web News 14 July 2020 882

For the nation to surmount the challenges and impact of flood disaster on lives and property, citizens must contribute their part and take responsibility.

Southwest Director, National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA Mr Slaku Bijimi who made this known while featuring on straight talk, an interview programme on Premier FM said the call became necessary as preventive measures against disaster.

Mr Bijimi who likened the occurrence of any disaster as that of emergence of COVID-19 which can happen unexpectedly, emphasized that disasters are real and will always occur.

He expressed worry that the recurrence of havoc wreaked by flood over time, was as result of lack of stringent measures put in place by relevant authorities, and failure of flood victims to relocate from affected zones.

The NEMA boss advised members of the public to desist from dumping refuse on water ways, and the need to sustain the culture of tree planting.

Kehinde Mosope

Environment

Flooding: Community in Ado-Ekiti Appeals for Dredging of Elemi River

By Web News 20 June 2020 1297

Residents of Elemi Community, Afao Road, Ado-Ekiti want the government to rescue them from flooding due to incessant overflown of River Elemi.

The flooding always destroys houses and properties worth millions of naira and made the area inhabitable.

Speaking with Radio Nigeria Progress in Ado-Ekiti, some of the residents including Mrs Alice Bamidele, Mr Yinka Abioye and Mr. Ife Adelusi lamented how rain wreak havoc in the areas as many of them could no longer sleep with their two eyes closed whenever there was rain.

The Chairman, Landlord Association of the Area, Apostle Joseph Falana and Mr Ariyo Oluwadare appealed to Governor Kayode Fayemi to redeem his pledge during his inspection of the site.

They stressed that the governor had promised to dredge the River Elemi in order to contain the volume of water flowing during the rainy season.

The residents expressed regret that many of them had not recovered from the debt incurred as a result of the flood emanated from the River during last year rain.

Mr Abioye urged Government to urgently come to their aid in order to prevent another havoc this year.

Oriola Afolabi

Environment

Makinde Inaugurate Committee for Ibadan Urban Flood Management Project

By Web News 5 November 2019 746

Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde has inaugurated the steering Committee of the Ibadan Urban Flood management Project, the World Bank Project aimed at tackling the flood risk propensity of Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital.

Speaking at the inauguration, Governor Makinde said that each of the members of the committee were expected to bring their wealth of experience to bear in managing flood risk in Ibadan and the entire Oyo State.

The Steering Committee which is the highest policy-making body of the Ibadan Urban Flood Management Project, IUFMP, is being headed by Governor Makinde.

Project Coordinator of IUFMP, Mr. Dayo Ayorinde said the inauguration of the steering committee would boost the rating of the project by International Partners.

Mr Ayorinde noted that the state government was trying to review the project and include solid waste management in the eight year project pointing out that year had gone in the project execution.

Adebisi Iyabo

Environment

Mitigating Impact of Flood

By Web News 9 August 2019 972

Floods are major disasters affecting many countries of the world annually and Nigeria is not exempted.

States in the country have experienced floods, leading to tremendous loss of property, infrastructure, farmlands and businesses.

Apart from this, loss of lives also occurs as well as outbreak of diseases like cholera and malaria.

Findings show that losses from the 1980 flood tagged “Omiyale” in Ibadan the Oyo State capital, was estimated at over Three Million naira while over five hundred lives were lost.

On the 26^th of August 2011, similar flood occurred in parts of the country and Oyo State, claiming lives of people and destroying property worth millions of naira.

The following year in August, history also repeated itself but the magnitude of loss was not as huge as it was in 2011, due to increased awareness and campaigns on the need for people to relocate from flood prone areas.

In May this year, Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency warned that the FCT and all states in Nigeria would experience different levels of flooding.

The Director General of the Agency, Clement Nze stated this during an overview of the 2019 Annual Flood Outlook.

The warning was not to make Nigerians anxious but to ginger them towards taking positive actions to protect lives and property.

Early warning signals is necessary for the public to be alerted in advance and undertake appropriate responses to minimize damage occasioned by flood.

It is imperative for people to heed this warning as a stitch in time saves

People should make it a point of duty to know their community’s flood risks and actions that should be taken to ensure safety.

Nigerian Meteorological Agency should embark on sensitization programs on feasible actions that should be taken.

At this juncture, citizens need to desist from dumping wastes into water channels and drainages, while monitoring teams should be deployed to strategic areas that are flood prone.