The Lagos State Government has advised residents to prioritise safety and avoid dangerous practices during the expected and intense rainfall this week.
Business Post reports that Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted three days of heavy downpours and thunderstorms across Nigeria from Monday, August 4, to Wednesday, August 6.
In a statement by the Commissioner for Environment in Lagos State, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, residents were warned to avoid practices like dumping refuses as well as ensuring safety, due to possible overwhelming of some drainage systems.
“Lagos has experienced intense rainfall, and more is expected in the coming days according to NiMET’s latest advisory. I urge all residents to remain calm. We have resilient systems in place to manage flash floods, but the sheer volume of rainfall may temporarily overwhelm some drainage channels,” he said.
He noted that as a coastal city, Lagos is vulnerable to tidal lock-up when rising water levels in the lagoon slow down the discharge of runoff, adding that this has worsened by climate change.
“We are closely monitoring areas near rivers and lagoons, which are at higher risk of flash floods with strong currents.
“Parents and guardians, please keep your children indoors during this holiday period. Swimming or playing in floodwater is extremely dangerous. I also appeal to motorists and pedestrians to avoid moving through flooded roads. Vehicles can be submerged, and lives can be lost,” he advised.
“Once again, I must stress, do not dump refuse into drains during rainfall. It clogs our drainage systems and worsens flooding. There are consequences for such actions, and enforcement will continue,” he added.
The commissioner noted that state teams will be working round the clock to clean and maintain drainages.
“[and] are expanding our network with concrete-lined channels to manage runoff more effectively. But in times of unusually heavy downpour like this, every resident must play their part,”
NiMet, in its weather outlook released on Sunday, August 3, in Abuja, had said early morning thunderstorms were expected yesterday with medium rains over parts of Sokoto, Adamawa, Kebbi, Zamfara, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, and Taraba states in the northern region.
It added that later in the afternoon or evening hours, thunderstorms with moderate rains would descend on the entire northern region.
“There is a high possibility of flood occurring over parts of Adamawa, Taraba and Bauchi states during the forecast period.
“In the central region, there are prospects of light rains over parts of Benue, the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, Kogi, and Nasarawa States during the morning hours,” NiMeT stated.
NiMet predicted that in the afternoon or evening hours of Monday, there would be light rains over parts of Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Plateau, Niger, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Benue.
There would also be cloudy skies with light rain in southern states, including parts of Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo, Anambra, Abia, Ogun, Edo, Delta, Lagos, Rivers, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Bayelsa, said the organisation.
Light rains are also expected later in the day in parts of Abia, Imo, Ebonyi, Anambra, Osun, Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, Ekiti, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Lagos, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom States.
The agency anticipated the high possibility of floods happening over parts of Edo, Ogun, Delta, and Oyo States during the forecast period.
NiMet also predicted morning thunderstorms over the northern region on Tuesday with moderate rains over parts of Taraba, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Kaduna, and Zamfara States.