TheNewsGuru

Tag: Flood

  • Flood: Senate moves to add River Benue project to 2024 budget

    Flood: Senate moves to add River Benue project to 2024 budget

    The Senate says it will facilitate the inclusion of dredging of the River Benue in the 2024 appropriation bill, to address the perennial flooding and its multi-dimensional consequences.

    This followed the adoption of a motion at plenary on Monday on “Need to prevent loss of lives caused by floods and undredged River Benue in Adamawa State.”

    The motion was sponsored by Sen. Abbas. lya (PDP- Adamawa).

    lya, in his presentation, said that River Benue was an international river flowing into Nigeria from the high land of Northern Cameroon through Jimeta in Adamawa State, Ibi in Taraba State, Makurdi in Benue State and finally meets River Niger in Lokoja.

    According to him, the volume of water that flows from the River is adversely affected by climate change.

    He explained that the construction of dams had also resulted to its uncontrolled shrinking with devastating effects on agricultural activities such as dry season farming.

    Iya said the inland waterways transportation system was usually affected by the flood.

    He said that the River Benue flows across seven Local Government Areas of Fufore, Yola South, Yola North, Girel, Demsa, Numan and Lamunde.

    This, he said,  is why Adamawa state was always affected by consequence of flood disaster, largely caused by lack of dredging.

    He said in 2022 alone, NEMA reported that over 2.41 million people were displaced and over 600 fatalities were recorded with expansive hectares of farm lands across the affected states swept off.

    He said it was disturbing that as a result of floods from the River Benue, only five of the 32 boat passengers trying to cross the river at Garin Alaji near Chikito village were rescued alive after boat capsized.

    He said the remaining victims could not be accounted for till date.

    He said there was an earlier report of a case where 53 people lost their lives in the same river.

    He expressed worry that the perennial flood occasioned by River Benue and its attendant consequences of loss of lives, displacement of people and destruction of farmlands threatening food security would continue if urgent action was not taken to address the situation.

    Senate, in the resolution, urged President Bola Tinubu to also facilitate the construction of Dasin Hausa Dam, proposed to be located in Fufore local Government, to curtail potential risk of excessive food from the Lago Dam in Cameroon.

    It also urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide relief materials to the victims of the deceased and embark on enlightenment on dangers of crossing rivers before or after rainfall.

    It further urged the National Inland Water Ways Authority to investigate the causes of an increased number of Boat mishap in the state.

  • Senate urges FG to find solution to flooding

    Senate urges FG to find solution to flooding

    The Senate has urged the Federal Government to convene stakeholders’ meeting to X-ray the recurring situation of flooding across the country with a view to arriving at a lasting solution.

    The senate’s resolution was sequel to a point of order moved by Sen. Adetokunbo Abiru (APC-Lagos) during Tuesday’s plenary.

    The motion is titled:”Flood Disaster in Ikosi-Isheri, Agboyi-Ketu and several other communities in Lagos and Ogun”.

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

    It also directed the relevant committees of the senate to provide adequate funding for NIMET, Hydrological Agency of Nigeria, and the River Basin Development Authorities to effectively carry out their responsibilities.

    Moving the motion, Abiru said that a number of communities close to the coast lines in Ikosi-Isheri and Agboyi-Ketu in Lagos and other communities in Ogun often experience flooding whenever the Oyan River dam is opened.

    “The recent release of water from the dam caused unimaginable havoc  to residents’ property and livelihoods particularly on Tuesday, Oct.24.

    “The  residents of the areas have fled their homes and business, schools and religious centres have all shut down in the affected communities,” he said.

    The lawmaker further said that there is an urgent humanitarian crisis occasioned by the flood as those sacked by the flood are still hanging around with family members and friends,” he said.

    He, however, said that in response to the threatening humanitarian crisis,  the governors of Lagos and Ogun and the Minister of Water Resources had all intervened in their respective capacities.

  • Oyan Dam not responsible for flooding in Ogun, Lagos – FG

    Oyan Dam not responsible for flooding in Ogun, Lagos – FG

    The Federal Government says it is untrue that water released from the Oyan Dam in Ogun was responsible for the flooding experienced annually in some parts of Ogun and Lagos.

    Prof. Joseph Utsev, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, made the claim while speaking with newsmen in Abeokuta on Tuesday after an on-the-spot assessment of facilities at Oyan Dam.

    Utsev declared that dams were mainly responsible for the control of flooding and irrigation for agricultural purposes, and the Oyan Dam could not have been responsible for the flooding.

    “The condition of the 270 million cubic water reservoir is perfect and it could not have caused the recent flooding in the states,” he said.

    The minister however said the Federal Government was working on a document to help it in controlling flooding across the country.

    He urged governments of states affected by flooding to evolve measures that would control their citizens and prevent them from building and dumping refuse on waterways.

    “The annual flooding occurrence should not be blamed on the release of water from any of the dams in the country. We should rather look at other causes.”

    Utsev further stated that his ministry had commenced a partial commercialisation of all the river basin dams across the country.

    He said the decision was part of measures to enhance agriculture as well as boost the economy in accordance with President Bola Tinubu’s agenda for self-sufficiency and food security.

    While speaking during a meeting with Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun in his office, the minister enjoined the state government to key into the “Clean Environment” programme of his ministry.

    “The programme provides for eradication and zero tolerance of open defecation. Our ministry will readily partner with Ogun towards achieving that,” he said.

    In his remarks, Abiodun solicited Federal Government’s intervention in bringing succour to the communities affected by flooding in the state.

    The governor emphasised that the state lacked the professional expertise and the financial muscle to tackle flooding.

    Abiodun asked the minister to prevail on the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority management to ensure the agency’s activities do not constitute a danger to the lives of Ogun residents.

    “The state is ready to cooperate with the ministry on whatever measure it is planning that will make the Federal Government achieve its goal of eradicating open defecation in the state, particularly when it is a matter that concerns the health of the citizens,” he said.

  • Flood: Lagos Govt gives update on release of water from Ogun river

    Flood: Lagos Govt gives update on release of water from Ogun river

    The Lagos State Government has assured residents of the state of its preparedness to contain any emergencies emanating from the release of water by the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority (OORBDA).

    The Commissioner of the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, gave the assurance at a news conference on Friday in Lagos.

    Wahab also explained the preparedness of the Lagos state government to contain any eventuality that might come with the intensity of the flow of run off from upland states into Lagos due to the rainfall events since September 2023.

    Wahab said the state government was capable of managing the consequences of the release of water by OORBDA.

    According to him, there was no cause for alarm.

    “From some of the statistics issued by the Ogun-Oshun River Basin Development Authority, the total amount of rainfall recorded from January to October 15 of 2023 indicates that most of the expected rainfall in the area has fallen.

    “The volume of water released from January to October 15, 2023 which is more than the average synthesized Annual Flow Volume of 1,770 million cubic meters (mcms) against a gross storage of 2,274.0 mcm.

    “First, for context on the severity of the issues, let me share with you the volumes of water flow through the Oyan Dam in the past few months.

    “In July 2023, 418.9 mcms of water was released. In August, that figure rose to 545.0 mcms ; September saw the release of 532.2 mcms and as of October 15, the flow has been averaging daily releases of 23.2 mcms totaling 2,274 mcm.

    “This is in addition to 203.4 mm of rainfall in July, 174.9 mm in August, 362.6mm of rainfall in September and 170.8mm in October 2023 so far,” Wahab said.

    The commissioner said as at Oct. 15, the peak of the expected rainfall in the month of October had already been experienced as the inflow from the upstream was reducing gradually.

    “This will eventually abate all issues of flooding that may be experienced in the upstream.

    “These are not numbers we take lightly and we acknowledge the impact they’ve had on our communities,” Wahab said.

    The commissioner said the government had stepped up its multifaceted approach to mitigate the effects of the flooding in response to the development.

    “We are committed to all-year-round drainage maintenance, reclaiming drainage Right of Way, ensuring that our waterways are kept clear and flowing efficiently.

    “Additionally, we have undertaken a comprehensive dredging programme for our main river channels to enhance water flow and reduce the risk of flooding.

    “Furthermore, we are working on improving our flood prediction and early warning systems to keep our citizens informed and safe.

    “We have recognised the need for better collaboration with the management of Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority to manage the release of water from the dam more effectively.

    “By fostering an improved relationship, we aim to strike a balance between the need for water management and the safety of our communities.

    “This is in addition to similar collaborations we have with the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency to mention a few,” Wahab said.

    He said that Lagos State, being low-lying, was at risk of coastal flooding.

    He explained that the government was fully aware of the vulnerability of the state to flooding and was are working diligently to adapt well to it.

    “This includes plans for building resilient infrastructure and adopting sustainable land use practices.

    “The flooding may stay for a while but will recede with time.

    “Let me at this juncture assure you all that our state continues to reap the gain of planning, as our flood control measures are already proving adequate and are also  being stepped up to contain any additional unforeseen weather conditions.

    “Guided by core principles of providing a flood-free and hygienic environment in the state, this ministry is providing all-year-round drainage maintenance for effective and efficient flood control with diligent dredging of all primary channels and cleaning/de-silting of all secondary collectors, to enable them discharge efficiently and act as retention and/or detention basins.

    “We are also collaborating on a continuous basis with the chairmen of all LGA’s/LCDAs and the tenements to complement our efforts by embarking on cleaning/de-silting of all tertiary drains in the state,” Wahab said.

    He stressed that, in the interim, the emergency flood abatement gang under drainage maintenance department of the ministry is still at work consistently working on black spots and intervening on some critical tertiary drains to enable them discharge efficiently and act as retention basins.

    He appealed to residents to report cases of drainage blockages, dumping of waste into canals and other unauthorised places to the resident engineers offices statewide.

    “On a final note, I wish to appeal once again to our people to continue to support our efforts by complementing the state government through regular clearing of drains in their frontages.

    “This will ensure free-flow of storm water and to desist from dumping of refuse into drainage channels and roads so that we can consolidate on the gains already made in the 2023 rainy season,” Wahab said.

  • Imminent flood: Anambra farmers asked to harvest crops now

    Imminent flood: Anambra farmers asked to harvest crops now

    Mr Jude Nwankwo, Programme Manager, Agricultural Development Programme (ADP), Anambra State, has urged farmers in the State to start harvesting their crops.

    Nwankwo, who gave the advice in Awka on Thursday, explained that this had become necessary to avert massive losses associated with flooding.

    “Before the planting season, we educated farmers especially those very close to the river banks to plant early so as to harvest early before the period of flooding.

    “Though the problem is still to begin, our advice to farmers is to start harvesting now to prevent massive losses associated with heavy flooding,” he said.

    The manager however, said there was no report of flooding on agricultural farms in the state since the rainy season.

    He said that in spite of the release of excess water from the Lagdo Dam by the Camerounian authorities which usually resulted in flooding and attendant consequences on agricultural activities, farmers were yet to report any problem in the state.

    Nwankwo said though water levels at River Niger and Omombala River, two big bodies of water in the state had risen, the state was yet to experience flooding.

    He said the ministry of agriculture and ADP office had instructed the Agriculture Extension Officers to inform farmers on the need to start harvesting their crops.

  • Tinubu directs immediate action to tackle impending flood

    Tinubu directs immediate action to tackle impending flood

    President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday directed an immediate plan of action to stem the tide of impending flooding across the country.

    Mr Stanley Nkwocha, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, made this known in a statement in Abuja.

    “To this effect, he (Tinubu) has appointed Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi as the Chairman of a committee to produce a road map to harmonise the recent National Economic Council (NEC) report on flood.

    “And the 2022 National Flood Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan as well as all other national reports on flood.

    “The Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Sen. Akon Eyakenyi, will serve as the Vice Chairman of the committee which is expected to submit its recommendations in seven days.”

    Nkwocha said during an emergency meeting presided over by Vice President Kashim Shettima, the president gave marching orders to the committee for an action plan on all the reports.

    Shettima said it was best to be proactive than to be reactive.

    “Based on the submissions by the Director-General of the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) , the situation is not that terrible but to be forewarned is to be forearmed.

    “The submissions by the other relevant stakeholders are equally poignant and we can’t afford to take chances.

    “Though the situation is not as bad as we might think, we need to set up a committee so that the report of the Presidential Committee and the 2022 Federal Executive Council–approved broad preparedness plan should be harmonised and implemented immediately.”

    Shettima noted that a feasible roadmap would address the flood crisis in Nigeria, adding that responsibilities would be shouldered by the North East Development Commission (NEDC), Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the Federal Government.

    “I deliberately invited the NEDC and NDDC so that with whatever resources that NEMA has, they have to be released to the states so that they can start making preparations for any eventuality.

    “Based on the Presidential directive, I will meet with the Chief Executives of the NEDC and NDDC for states that are under their coverage. There should be interventions from them.

    “For NEDC they can take care of Taraba, Bauchi, and Adamawa states. For NDDC, they can take care of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, and Cross River states.”

    Shettima said that for states like Ebonyi, Kogi, and Benue states, government would mobilise from its savings and deploy same to assist them.

    “We have to share responsibilities and hence the immediate need for the roadmap to be implemented,” he stated.

    The Chief Executives of NiMet, National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), National Water Resources Institute, NEMA and NiHSA, all made presentations with reactions from Governors of Bauchi, Kogi, Ebonyi and Cross River States.

    Akwa Ibom and Nasarawa State Governors were represented by their deputies.

    Other members of the committee included Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; Minister of State for Environment, Kunle Salako; Minister of State for Water Resources and Sanitation, Bello Goronyo; Chief Executives of NEMA, NIWA, and NiHSA, among others.

    The Special Adviser to the President on NEC and Climate Change, Rukaiya El-Rufai, will serve as Secretary of the committee.

  • NEMA raises alarm, lists 9 States to experience massive flood

    NEMA raises alarm, lists 9 States to experience massive flood

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has alerted Nigerians to expect floods in nine States as Cameroon began the release of water from its Lagdo Dam.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the nine States are Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Anambra, Edo, Delta and Bayelsa.

    Mr Mustapha Ahmed, Director General, NEMA, disclosed this on Saturday in Abuja when he briefed newsmen on the release of water from the dam.

    He said that the nine affected States which had communities along the banks of River Benue may be affected by the water release, which is expected to last till the end of October.

    Ahmed said that the recent release had led to the displacement of communities and could lead to further destruction of crops and other infrastructure.

    “NEMA has been alerted on sudden increased inundation of riverine communities and farmlands along the banks of River Niger in Adamawa, Taraba and Benue states in the past 48 hours.

    “The sudden situation is attributed to the rapid release of water from Lagdo fam in the Republic of Cameroon and has resulted in the displacement of several inhabitants of the affected communities.

    “Furthermore, crops, lands and valuable infrastructure are at risk of getting washed away by the flood waters.

    “Situation reports from Adamawa State confirmed the upsurge of flood waters along the flood plains of River Benue.

    “The situation is expected to be replicated in downstream states of Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Anambra, Edo, Delta and Bayelsa as the River Benue joins River Niger and flows to the Atlantic Ocean through the Niger Delta,” he said.

    The director general also cautioned states and local government areas along the River Niger and Benue Basins to immediately activate their emergency response plans to avert potential damage and losses that could arise due to the flooding of communities.

    Ahmed added that, so far, 159,157 persons had been affected by this year’s flooding, as 28 persons had lost their lives and 48,168 individuals displaced in 13 states across the country.

    He, however, added that the agency would continue to provide further updates as it received more situation reports from the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) as well as frontline states’ emergency management agencies.

  • Residents, farmers lament as flood hits Adamawa community

    Residents, farmers lament as flood hits Adamawa community

    Anguwan Tana community in Yola North LGA, of Adamawa state has been hit with flood as a result of an overflow from River Kilange and River Faro.

    The farming settlement in the state capital lies on the shore of the River Benue, which runs across Yola.

    Residents of the community lamented the destruction of their farms following the heavy flood.

    Visiting the affected area on Friday, the Executive Secretary of the Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency, ADSEMA, Dr Mohammed Suleiman, said the agony of the people would have been averted if they had heeded warnings about possible flooding.

    “Before the inception of the rainy season, when we received the prediction of flooding, we had warned them,” the ADSEMA boss told newsmen.

    While stressing the need for them to always cooperate with government, he assured them of food and non-food relief items.

  • Devastating floods: Libya’s woes multiply over state of two more dams

    Devastating floods: Libya’s woes multiply over state of two more dams

    Following the devastating floods a week ago in Libya, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) on Sunday said it was concerned about two more dams which were reportedly dealing with massive amounts of pressure.

    The dams in question are the Jaza Dam – between the partly destroyed city of Darna and Benghazi – and the Qattara Dam near Benghazi, the OCHA said.

    However, there have been “contradictory reports” over the dams’ stability, the UN agency said.

    Both dams were in good condition and functioning, according to authorities.

    Pumps were being installed at the Jaza Dam to relieve pressure on it, the OCHA cited authorities as saying.

    Derna was badly hit after the severe storm last weekend, mainly due to the breach of two dams.

    The storm killed thousands of people and thousands more are still missing.

    The authorities do not yet have exact figures. The city had about 100,000 inhabitants before the disaster.

    Confusion over the death toll continued on Sunday after the OCHA initially spoke of 11,300 dead and a further another 10,100 missing.

    Additionally an estimated 170 other people had been killed elsewhere in eastern Libya, according to the UN agency.

    The OCHA attributed the figures to the Libyan Red Crescent but a spokesman for the aid group voiced astonishment at the numbers and rejected them.

    “What are the sources of these numbers?” Tawfiq al-Shukri asked dpa. The official numbers are issued by the agency authorised by the Libyan authorities,” he said.

    In a later version of its situation report, OCHA dropped those figures, instead citing the World Health Organisation (WHO) figure of 3,958 people dead and more than 9,000 still missing.

    Late on Sunday Othman Abdel Jalil, the health minister in the one of Libya’s rival governments, told a news conference that the number of people buried so far was 3,283.

    The Libyan official reiterated his call to the media to follow the official numbers which are given daily by the Health Ministry.

    “We regret that we saw a lot of statements being made by local officials and some came from international sides during which they gave numbers which can cause panic among the people,” the official said.

    He added that he regretted to see that UN on its site put the number of dead in eastern Libya at 11,300.

    “I don’t know where they got this from,” he said. “When I got in touch with them they mentioned it was from the Red Crescent, but when I talked to the Red Crescent they said that did not talk to them.”

    The minister said the UN based its report on information coming from a man who claimed to be speaking on behalf of the Red Crescent and that he lived outside Libya.

    Conflicting accounts have emerged from Libya, which is divided between warring administrations in east and west.

    Earlier in the week, the mayor of Derna had said it was possible up to 20,000 people had died there.

    The WHO said nearly 4,000 people who were killed in the floods had been identified.

    A group of Libyan data analysts and researchers also said there had been around 4,000 confirmed deaths in a count on Saturday.

    A powerful storm dubbed Daniel hit Libya on Sept. 10 after earlier lashing Greece, Bulgaria, and Turkey.

    Two dams broke in the mountains above the port of Derna, washing away large areas of the city of around 100,000 people.

    Al-Shukri of the Libyan Red Crescent said on Sunday that the search and rescue situation in Derna was “better” now with the engagement of several Libyan and foreign teams.

    While he did say that survivors had been hauled up from under the rubble through Saturday, he declined to give specific figures.

    Concerns are growing about water safety in Derna.

    Detected cases of diarrhoea totalled 150 in the city on Saturday due to contaminated drinking water.

    But the director of Libya’s National Centre for Disease Control, Haider al-Sayeh, said Sunday that field teams from the centre managed to reduce the cases, and advised locals to avoid well water and use bottled water.

    The head of the internationally recognized Tripoli-based government, Abdel-Hamid Dbeibeh, ordered the provision of drinking water to flood-affected areas, his administration said Sunday. His government does not have actual control over the eastern part of Libya.

    Abdel Jalil said Sunday that a vaccination campaign has been launched to protect all those living in Derna and working in it, including military, medical staff and journalists.

    The minister also announced that a “horrific traffic accident” took place on Sunday which led to the death of four Greek rescue workers who were on their way to Derna.

    Abdel Jalil said 15 others were wounded in the accident, of which seven were in critical condition and eight were stable.

    He said the Greek team had consisted of 19 rescue members.

    In total, the accident killed seven people, as the aid workers’ vehicle crashed into a car carrying a Libyan family, according to Jalil.

    The Greek military initially confirmed three deaths late on Sunday night. Two other members of the rescue team were missing, it said in a statement on Facebook.

    Three of the family of five died in the accident, while the other two were seriously injured.

    Libya has been in turmoil since the overthrow of dictator Moamer Gaddafi in 2011. Countless militias are still fighting for power and influence in the oil-rich country.

    The conflict is further fuelled by foreign states. All diplomatic efforts to settle the conflict peacefully have failed.

  • Sanwo-Olu vexed, as flood sweeps okada rider into Lagos canal

    Sanwo-Olu vexed, as flood sweeps okada rider into Lagos canal

    Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State on Saturday declared zero tolerance for indiscriminate dumping of refuse in drainages.

    Sanwo-Olu made the declaration while addressing newsmen at the ongoing four-day 2023 Onboarding Retreat Programme for Members of the State Executive Council, the Body of Permanent Secretaries and Heads of some Agencies and Parastatals, held in Epe.

    He said the government would not take the issue of dumping of refuse lightly, as such contributed to flooding in the state.

    The governor expressed concerns on houses being submerged during the rains, while urging residents to prepare for the rains.

    According to him, residents have earlier been informed of late and heavy rains, hence, should be prepared and change their lifestyle of dumping refuse in drainages.

    ”We all knew too well and notices have been given of late rains, heavy rains and it is that time of the year where we cannot control nature, it will rain, so we can’t do anything about rain falling,  especially at this time.

    ”You have seen it in all parts of the world, it rains, it floods, we are not immuned  to it, we actually are below the sea level, one-third of Lagos is water, and so, that water will come and it will be heavy during the rainy season.

    ”So that is nature and we need to be able to live with that and understand that we are in a coastal state.

    ”Beyond that is to talk about our ways of life, which is to talk about drainages. That is a concern for all of us,” he said.

    Speaking on the issue of flooding and failed portions of the road in Ikotun and Igando areas of Alimosho Local Government Area and other parts of Lagos state, Sanwo-Olu assured residents of prompt intervention.

    He also sought media support for his administration to tackle the issue of flood in the state.

    ”Part of our take away from the retreat is the level of zero tolerance that we are taking out of here. The Commissioners, Special Advisers and Permanent Secretaries have all been empowered to go out there and do the right thing.

    ”When we begin to do all these  difficult things, we are hoping that you (the media) will be able to give us fair reportage to know that we are not just being insensitive, wicked, we just want to do our job and do it well.

    ”So, when we see a building or property that is blocking drainage channels and we say we are going to pull it down, we are hoping that you will be on our side and be able to report to say that this has to go.

    ”That is the only way people can live in a sane, safe and secured society,” the governor said.

    Downpour: Tragedy as flood sweeps motorcycle rider into Lagos canal

    Meanwhile, tragedy struck in the Ile-Epo area of Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos on Saturday as a motorcycle rider was swept into a canal by flood resulting from a morning downpour,

    Mr Ibrahim Farinloye, Territorial Coordinator, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), disclosed this in an interview.

    Farinloye said that the rider, simply called Mr Abe, was swept off after refusing to heed to warnings from his colleagues not to ride during the rain, close to the Ile Epo Bus-stop canals in the area.

    He said that the incident happened around 10.30a.m. and the victim had yet to be recovered as of the time he was speaking.

    Meanwhile, the rainfall, which started early in the day and lasted for hours, also led to flood affecting  residents  in Papa Ashafa and Fashola communities, in Orile-Agege Local Council Development Area (LCDA).

    Farinloye said that some people displaced were taking refuge in four churches  in the area.

    “Some vulnerable groups have moved to temporary safe facilities, while the adults are salvaging their water-impacted properties.

    “NEMA is assisting the owner of a building where the fence collapsed,” he said.

    He said that there was  the need to salvage the building by reconstructing the fence to solidify the base, to prevent it from collapsing on a nearby bungalow.

    Farinloye said that the Director-General, of NEMA, Alhaji Mustapha Ahmed, had directed the immediate release of relief materials to the affected flood victims in Lagos.

    “Children wears, women wears, mattresses, antiseptics and other immediate assistance to the impacted population at Orile-Agege Local Government Area to provide immediate succour to about 200 people this afternoon are being loaded currently, ” Farinloye said.

    He appealed to Lagos residents to take utmost precautions during such heavy rainfall.

    Farinloye said that NEMA and other emergency agencies were on assessment exercise at some flash points, and discussed with affected populations, proffering immediate solutions in handling such situations.

    Meanwhile, a resident, Mr Ibrahim Mufta, told NAN that the area was in terrible condition, while calling both Federal and Lagos State governments to come to their aid.