Amidst rising concerns among Lagos residents over incessant rainfall, the state government has called for calm and warned that more downpours were expected in the days ahead.
Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, made the call in a statement shared via X (formerly Twitter) Monday, a copy of which was obtained by Blueprint.
He said: “Over the past 12 hours, 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.”
Wahab said notwithstanding the state’s “resilient systems in place to manage flash floods”, the sheer volume of rain could temporarily overwhelm the drainage infrastructure.
The commissioner said: “As a coastal city, Lagos is naturally vulnerable to tidal lock-up when rising water levels in the lagoon slow down the discharge of runoff. This is further worsened by climate change.”
The statement also said the government was closely monitoring areas near rivers and lagoons, noting that they are at higher risk of flash floods with strong currents.
In a further advisory, the statement said: “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.”
While emphasising how poor waste disposal could further complicate the situation, he said: “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.”
The commissioner, who assured that the state government, was abreast of development, said the drainage teams were working around the clock and that concrete-lined channels were being constructed across the city to manage runoff more effectively.
“But in times of unusually heavy downpour like this, every resident must play their part. Together, we will keep Lagos safe,” he reassured.
…NiMET predicts thunderstorms
In a related development, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) predicted thundery and rainy weather activities across the nation from Monday to Wednesday (August 4-6).
In a weather outlook released Sunday, the agency predicted morning thunderstorms on Monday with moderate rains over parts of Adamawa, Taraba, Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Jigawa, Kano and Katsina states in the northern region.
The agency advised the residents to stay informed through weather updates from NiMet by visiting its website www.nimet.gov.ng.
It said: “Later in the afternoon or evening hours, thunderstorms with moderate rains are expected over the entire 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. In the afternoon or evening hours, light rains are anticipated over parts of Nasarawa, Kwara, Kogi, Plateau, Niger, Benue and the Federal Capital Territory.”
NiMET also envisaged cloudy skies over the southern region with chances of light rain in some parts of Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo, Anambra, Abia, Ogun, Edo, Delta, Lagos, Rivers, Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa states during the morning hours.
Light rains, it said, were expected over parts of Abia, Imo, Ebonyi, Anambra, Osun, Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, Ekiti, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Lagos, Cross River and Akwa Ibom states later in the day.
NiMET predicted morning thunderstorms on Tuesday over the northern region with moderate rains over parts of Taraba, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Kaduna and Zamfara states. Later in the day, thunderstorms with moderate rains are expected over the entire region.
“For the central region, there are prospects of intermittent light rains over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, Nasarawa, Kwara, Kogi, Plateau and Benue States during the forecast period.
”Cloudy skies are expected over the southern region with prospects of intermittent light rains on Ebonyi, Imo, Abia, Enugu, Anambra, Ondo, Ekiti, Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Lagos, Edo, Delta, Rivers, Bayelsa, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom states during the forecast period,” said the agency.
The agency predicted the likelihood of flood over parts of Anambra, Delta, Bayelsa, Cross River and Akwa Ibom states during the forecast period, as well as morning thunderstorms on Wednesday with moderate rains over parts of Taraba and Kaduna States of northern region.
Similarly, it envisaged isolated thunderstorms and moderate rains over parts of Borno, Bauchi, Taraba, Kaduna, Gombe, Yobe, Jigawa, Kano, and Adamawa states later in the day.
Also, it said, light rains are envisaged over parts of Nasarawa, Niger and the Federal Capital Territory in the morning hours of the central region.
“In the afternoon or evening hours, Intermittent light rains are expected over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, Nasarawa, Kwara, Kogi, Plateau and Benue States.
”For the southern region, cloudy skies with intermittent light rains are expected over parts of Ebonyi, Abia, Imo, Enugu, Anambra, Lagos, Edo, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta and Cross River states in the morning hours,” it said.
Light rains, the agency said, are expected over the entire region later in the day with a high possibility of flooding over parts of Bayelsa State during the forecast period.
NiMET therefore called on the public to avoid driving under heavy rain and states with the possibility of flash flood to activate the emergency response system immediately.
”Ensure warm clothing for the vulnerable persons due to low night-time temperatures, and ensure that loose objects are fastened to avoid collisions.
”Disconnect electrical appliances from electrical sockets stay away from tall trees to avoid impact from falling branches and broken trees.
”Airline operators to get airport-specific weather reports (flight documentation) from NiMET for effective planning in their operations,” it said.