Lagos issues flood alert to those residing near lagoons, flood plains

LAGOS State will experience normal rainfall with minimal intensity compared to last year’s rainfall, the Commissioner for Environment, Mr Tunji Bello has predicted. The Commissioner who based his predictions on facts gleaned from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NIMET, gave the socio-economic implication of this year’s rainfall for the state.

“Lagos state is predicted to have normal rainfall this year, but surrounding states like Ogun and Oyo will have above normal rainfall. Thus, excess flow from dams in these states which flows through downstream to Lagos may cause flooding downstream realistically in Lagos if the water in the dams is not properly managed,” he said.

The commissioner who disclosed that the length of rainy season for the year is predicted to vary between 100 days over the extreme north and 300 days over the coastal areas like Lagos, said the predicted rainfall over the central and southern parts of the country will support good yield of both cereals and tuber crops.

He added that the predicted less rainfall in 2014 and rising temperature could pose serious constraint on livestock production in some areas. The commissioner further noted that rainstorms will be common over the coastal areas with occasional flash flood and ocean surges which will greatly affect persons living along the flood plains. According to him, the magnitude of this devastation will however depend on the activities of the people.

Bello therefore warned residents who reside along flood plain areas and the lagoon to be alert and be ready to relocate when the need arises, adding that as usual, the government will notify such residents at the appropriate time. Areas affected by the alert include Ikorodu, Owode, Iwaya, Makoko and Ijora Badia.

“Residents living in flood-prone areas should  relocate in order to avert disasters. I strongly advise Lagos residents who reside within the wetlands along the flood plain areas as well as those near the Lagoon to always be on the alert and ready to relocate whenever there is rain of high intensity, because they are likely to be affected. We shall as usual notify such residents at the appropriate time,” he said.

He also appealed to residents “to desist from acts that could lead to flooding, such as indiscriminate dumping of refuse in unauthorised places like drains and canals. He enjoined them to evacuate all silted drains around their homes and premises. “Illegal building of structures on drainage alignments, road setbacks and verges remain prohibited. We should not patronize cart pushers who will end up dumping the waste inside canals”, Bello declared.