The Ogun State Government has asked residents in floodplain areas to relocate to safer ground before the rain commences fully.

The rain, according to the Nigeria Meteorological Agency and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency would commence in March and end in December 2024, affecting sixteen out of the twenty local government areas of the state.

The state Commissioner for Environment, OLA ORESANYA, made this known during the 2024 Ogun State Flood Alert in Abeokuta.

While noting that people who are in hilly areas are going to experience erosion as a result of the speed of the water, he called for calm as the state government is putting measures in place to cushion the effects of the expected heavy rainfall.

The commissioner also said that the state government is set to complement its various efforts at addressing the menace of flooding with the construction of 2,975.6m of drainage channels, mini-bridges, and culverts, as well as the desilting and clearing of 56.150m of river across the state.

The commissioner encouraged fish farmers to harvest before the peak of the rainy season in July and advised poultry farmers against stocking density during the period, which started two months ago.

ORESANYA also called on the people of the state to apply for a drainage permit before constructing their drainages.

This, he said, would ensure that drainages have the right elevation for the passage of water.