Prepare for more rain to prevent repeat of sad experiences, it says
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Lagos has told residents to prepare for above normal rainfall predicted at 1936.2mm from the first week of April in order to avoid the sad experiences of the past in which blocked drainage channels led to flooding that wrecked homes and businesses.
Rain is expected to start in the first week of April and end in December, according to Environment and Water Resources Commissioner Tunji Bello.
Bello gave the warning at the 2023 briefing on Seasonal Climate Predictions and its Socio-Economic implications for Lagos.
He said the 1936.2mm rainfall predicted for 2023 is greater than the long-term average of 1721.48mm experienced in the state in the past 10 years.
“According to the prediction released by the Nigerian Metrological Services (NiMet), Lagos State is predicted to experience slightly above average rainfall amount and an elongated season length,” Bello explained.
“Ikeja is expected to have an annual amount of 1900mm, while Badagry will experience 1978mm amount of rainfall.
“Ikorodu, Lagos Island and Epe are expected to have a rainfall with annual amount of 1903mm, 1936mm and 1952mm with onset dates of 1st of April and cessation of 3rd of December 2023.
“It is also expected that the recent increase in the frequency of extreme weather events will continue in 2023, with days of extremely high rainfall amount that may result in flooding, largely because strong winds are expected during the onset and cessation of each rainfall.”
Bello listed factors of flooding to include rise in lagoon level caused by high tidal movement “which may lock up the discharge points of drainage channels and until the lagoon recedes, there will be no discharge, allowing the backflows and all the generated storm water to immediately discharge, and the roads becoming free.”
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Collaboration with NiMet
Bello disclosed the ministry collaborates with NiMet in rain prediction, which serves as an early warning tool for those concerned, and Alausa also has plans to downscale the National Seasonal Climate Prediction for stakeholders locally, per The Nation.
He said Lagos has increased preparedness for weather and flood related issues by deploying its network of weather stations and river gauge stations to monitor the weather across the state.
Besides, he stressed, Alausa would monitor incoming rainfall storm water from neighbouring states such as Ogun, Oyo, and Osun that may increase water levels.
According to Bello, the government maintains synergy and partnership with Ogun-Oshun River Basin Development Authority (OORBDA), to contain flood.
He advised Lagosians to report drainage blockages and illegal dumping of waste on unauthorised places to resident/drainage engineers and zero tolerance offices in the 57 councils and council development areas during and after the rainy season.
The Adviser to the Governor on Drainage and Water Resources, Joe Igbokwe, an engineer, promised Lagos would not relent in its environmental management.
Ministry Office of Drainage Services Permanent Secretary, Nurudeen Shodeinde, also an engineer, said the ministry would introduce Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) which would make use of nature, using man-made features such as soak-away, ponds, and gently sloping channels (swales) to attenuate and treat urban runoff.