Residents of Lagos have been told
to expect massive rainfalls this
year. Indeed, they are expected
to witness between 240 to 270 days of
rainfall.
Revealing this recently during a press
briefing on the Year 2020 Seasonal
Rainfall Predictions and prevention of
flooding in the State, the Commission-
er for the Environment, Mr Tunji Bello,
added that the maximum annual rain-
fall is predicted to be 1,750mm.
Mr Bello, while giving reference to a
report obtained from the Nigerian Me-
teorological services (NIMET), stated
that the earliest predicted onset of the
rainy season is 17th March with other
areas following.
He added that the rainy season is
expected to cease earliest by 22 Nov
in Surulere with other areas following
after.
“Ikeja is expected to have about
1526mm, while that of Badagry is
1750mm, Lagos Island with 1714mm,
Ikorodu with 1690mm and Epe with
1730mm of rainfall.
“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 stated.
The Environment Commissioner not-
ed that 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 con-
tinue till around August or September.
Mr Bello explained that residents
staying in coastal areas will witness
flash-floods which he describes as ‘nat-
ural’, but it will disappear in a matter of
time if the drains are clean.
“As long as the drains are clean, we
should be assured that, in a matter of
time, the flash flood will disappear.
“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 in flooding”,
he emphasised.
He appealed to Lagosians to desist
from acts that can lead to flooding, in-
discriminate dumping of refuse in un-
authorised places.
