By Kingsley Adegboye

Disturbed by the rainfall forecast released recently by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NIMET, that heavy rainfalls accompanied by tsunami-like flooding are expected to start relatively earlier and stop later than usual this year, the Lagos State Government has warned residents and property owners along river banks and flood prone areas to move to higher grounds this rainy season. NIMET estimates a1,200-1,700 mm rainfall this year

Specifically, ten communities located in the north-eastern part of the state are naturally susceptible to flooding, and they are expected to be worst hit during the heavy rainfalls.

The communities include Ikosi-Ketu, Mile 12, Agiliti, Thomas Laniyan Estate and Owode-Onirin. Others are Agboyi, Owode Elede, Maidan and Isheri North Scheme.

Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage, Lagos State Ministry of the Environment, Engr. Muyideen Akinsanya, stated that to avoid a repeat of last year when flood displaced more than 1,000 residents of a community in Ikorodu, residents of the ten communities should move to higher grounds within the months of June to mid-September and October to January.

Engr. Akinsanya said this had become necessary because the capacity of most of the canals cannot contain the volume of runoff expected from the rainfall.

“Although, in readiness for the rainy season, several channels in the metropolis have been cleared while the maintenance schedule is being pursued with vigour, and we are confident that flooding will be effectively contained and controlled, however, it is pertinent to mention that the stretch of Oworonsoki-Apapa Expressway from Gbagada to Tin-Can Island which has been depressed for a long time is yet to be rehabilitated by the Federal Government.

“So, the challenges usually experienced by the people living in the catchment areas of the Expressway such as Mile 2, Rainbow, Ijeshatedo, Ilasanmaja, Ewu-Tuntun, Itire and others will remain largely. This, notwithstanding, our emergency abatement gang will be readily available within these catchment areas to respond appropriately to ameliorate the situation.

“To avoid calamities flood is capable of causing for the people, our wastes should be properly packed and disposed through the PSP waste disposal agents only and desist from dumping refuse into the drains. Our drainage channels, lagoons, rivers, streams and wetlands must be kept clean of all forms of waste such as solid, sewage, liquid, domestic or industrial.

People should desist from building structures along the drain alignments or compromising drainage structures.

“Users of waterways should be more careful of excessive rainfall that can lead to high water level, greater turbulence and changes in shoreline depth. Road users are advised to avoid high speed and maintain their vehicles.

Residents and property owners along the banks and flood plains are advised to be very vigilant and raise alarm in case of high rise in water level. They should immediately vacate the water path in case of heavy flooding putting safety of lives before anything else”, the Permanent Secretary noted.