The Lagos State Government on Tuesday alert residents of the state that the state will witness a near normal rainfall of between 240 to 270 days this year.
The State Commissioner for the Environment, Mr Tunji Bello who stated this during a press briefing on the Year 2020 Seasonal Rainfall Predictions and prevention of flooding in the State in his office at Alausa, added the maximum annual rainfall is predicted to be 1,750mm.
He said the earliest predicted onset
of the rainy season is 17th March with other areas following, adding that the
rainy season is expected to cease earliest by 22 Nov in Surulere with other
areas following after.
He stated that Ikeja was expected to have about 1526mm, while that of Badagry
is 1750mm, Lagos Island with 1714mm, Ikorodu with 1690mm and Epe with 1730mm of
rainfall.
He disclosed that the report which was obtained from the Nigerian
Meteorological services (NIMET) indicated further that Lagos Island was
expected to have a rainfall onset date of 19th March with an error margin of
three days, while its cessation date is expected to be 26th of November.
He said this year’s prediction by NiMeT is based on the global consensus that El-Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is at the neutral phase which will continue till around August or September.
It is also expected that Lagos
Island will have about 252 days of rainfall with about 1714mm of rainfall
through the year.
Bello disclosed that the predictions of the Agency were valuable as vital
weather and early warning tools for planners, decision makers and operators of
the various sectors and businesses that might be impacted by the annual
rainfall, if not well managed.
Re-assuring Lagosians on the issue of floods, Bello said in a coastal area like
Lagos, it is natural that, “sometimes when it rains, we are likely to have
flash-floods on our roads as normal occurrences all over the world.
“As long as the drains are
clean, we should be assured that, in a matter of time, the flash flood will
disappear”.
According to him, it is only when flood remains on the roads for days that we
can report that the place is flooded.
“It must be noted that, anytime the Lagoon level rises, it may “lock up” the discharge points drainage channels and until it recedes, there will be no discharge. Occurrences like these also cause backflows, resulting to flooding”, he emphasised.
But as soon as the Lagoon
recedes, all the generated storm water will immediately discharge and our roads
will be free.
He disclosed, “The Lagos State Government has established synergy and
partnership with Ogun-Osun River Basin Authority and this has ensured control
and monitoring of the steady and systematic release of water from Oyan Dam to
prevent flooding of the downstream communities;
According to him, since last year the Emergency Flood Abatement Gang under
Drainage Maintenance Department of the Ministry have been consistently de-silting
and working on secondary collectors and conduits, to enable them discharge
efficiently.
The Commissioner urged Lagos State
Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA) and Lagos State Infrastructure
Maintenance and Regulatory Agency (LASIMRA) to ensure advertising and
communication agencies comply with regulations on safety and stability of
billboards and telecommunication masts in readiness for the strong winds
expected during the onset and cessation of every rainfall.
He remarked that all relevant security and emergency agencies would be
adequately informed to be ever ready for any negative effects of flooding.
”All emergency agencies,
traffic management agencies and other emergency related outfits will be put on
the alert to assist in reducing the havoc that may arise from the incidents of
flooding in the State.”
Bello advised Lagosians who reside along flood plains, coastal and low-lying
wetland areas near major rivers to always be on the alert and be ready to
relocate, when the need arises.
He maintained that government shall,
as usual, notify such residents at the appropriate time. He also urged
motorists to observe prescribed speed limits during the rainy reason, to avoid
loss of lives and property.
The Environment Commissioner appealed to Lagosians to desist from acts that can
lead to flooding, indiscriminate dumping of refuse in unauthorised places.
Bello assured that the contact of Drainage Resident Engineers will be made
available in all our 57 Local Governments Areas and Local Council Development
Areas to attend to the needs of residents before, during and after the
rainy season.
Also speaking at the briefing, the Special adviser on Drainage and water
Resources, Engr. Joe Igbokwe said the Government is working seriously with the
all the Local Governments to sensitize market men and women saying that the
government will not hesitate to shut down any erring market.
Igbokwe also noted that there has been a rise in population and
government will not relent in performing its responsibilities of maintaining
cleanliness in the environment stressing that work is seriously going on to
clear canals and drains in Oshodi, Isolo, Mushin, Ladipo amongst others.
He enjoined the people of Lagos to support government efforts by
complementing through regular clearing of drains in their frontages to ensure
free-flow of storm water as well as to desist from dumping of refuse into
drainage channels and roads.