Prepare for above-normal rainfall, LASG cautions residents

The Lagos State Government, LASG, has advised residents to prepare for above-normal rainfall, which will start in the first week of April and cease in December.

This was made known by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tunji Bello, who spoke at the 2023 press briefing on Seasonal Climate Predictions and its socio-economic implications for Lagos, held at Alausa, Ikeja.

According to the commissioner, the 1936.2mm amount of rainfall predicted for 2023 was greater than the long-term average of 1721.48mm experienced in the state in the last 10 years.

He stated that specifically, Ikeja is expected to have an annual amount of 1,900mm while Badagry will experience 1,978mm amount of rainfall.

Ikorodu, Lagos Island and Epe are expected to have rainfall with annual amounts of 1,903mm, 1,936mm and 1,952mm respectively, with onset dates of April 1 and cessation of December 3, 2023, he said.

“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 amounts that may result in flooding, largely because strong winds are expected during the onset and cessation of each rainfall,” Bello said.

The commissioner stressed that the state had continued to maintain the synergy and partnership with the Ogun-Oshun River Basin Development Authority to effectively contain flooding.

Recall that early this year, an above-normal rainfall occurred in Ondo State that destroyed many property at Ipogun community in the Ifedore Local Government Area.

The rainfall was said to have wreaked havoc on the community, destroying property worth millions of naira.

It was gathered that the rainstorm destroyed houses, shops, schools, church, electric poles and a health centre in the community.

Some residents were said to have been rendered homeless by the natural disaster.

One of the affected residents, who identified herself only as Mrs Ajayi, lamented that the rainstorm destroyed her shop and goods.

“It was just too heavy as we could not take out anything from the shop because the downpour lasted for two hours and many houses were affected. We are begging Governor Akeredolu and other well-meaning Nigerians to assist us,” she added.