Residents count losses as Osun River rises

Residents living along the Osun River in Osogbo, Osun State, are counting their losses as rising water levels have flooded houses and farmlands in communities located close to the riverbank.

The development followed an increase in rainfall in the last four days and the volume of water in the Osun River, causing stronger currents downstream and forcing water beyond parts of its usual channel.

DAILY POST on Sunday observed that some houses along the riverbank have been affected by the rising water, with residents in some of the affected buildings evacuating their belongings and moving to safer locations.

It was gathered that some residents whose houses have been affected said they had also started moving out properties and valuables that remained untouched by the flood, amid concerns that the water level could rise further.

“Some families have temporarily relocated while monitoring the situation, particularly in areas where floodwater has entered residential compounds and buildings close to the river,” a resident, Fatai Akangbe said.

He recalled that a major flooding episode in August 2018 and urged the state government and relevant authorities to address the river’s capacity before further rainfall increases the risk of additional flooding.

The flooding has also affected farmers whose farmlands are located near the river, with some beginning to count their losses after water covered portions of their cultivated areas.

Crops and other farm investments are among the properties residents said could be lost if the water level continues to rise and remains on the farmlands for an extended period.

Residents attributed the immediate rise in the river to the increased volume of rainfall in the area, which has contributed to greater water flow into the river and increased current downstream.

The situation has renewed calls for the dredging of the Osun River to improve its capacity to accommodate increased water volumes and reduce the risk of overflowing its banks.

The zonal pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Mount Zion Cathedral, Pastor Babalola, during church service on Sunday appealed to the Osun State Government to urgently dredge the Osun River.

“Dredging the river would help improve the flow of water and reduce the pressure created when heavy rainfall increases the volume of water entering the river,” the pastor said.

Residents also called on the state government and relevant environmental authorities to provide assistance to affected households and farmers while taking measures to prevent further flooding.

The flooding comes amid continuing concerns over changing rainfall patterns and the impact of global warming on extreme rainfall.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has reported that heavy precipitation is projected to become more intense with additional global warming, increasing exposure to flooding in many parts of Africa.

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMet, has also continued to issue rainfall and flood-related forecasts and warnings.

Its 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction projected normal to above-normal rainfall in parts of Nigeria, while the agency has issued heavy-rainfall and flash-flood risk information during the current rainy season.

The rising Osun River has brought back memories of previous flooding incidents in Osogbo and other parts of Osun State.