By Olasunkanmi Akoni

Lagos State Government said the state is expected to experience above normal rainfall in 2025, with a total of an annual amount of 1952mm predicted rainfall.

It added that due to the strong winds being expected during the onset and the end of each rainy season, lives and properties might be at risk, with commercial activities disruption, flight delays and resulting revenue loss also arising.

Residents of low-lying wetland areas were alerted to relocate of the State, to move upland in order to avoid needless loss of lives and property, when the need arises.

Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, made the remarks at a media briefing on the Year 2025 Seasonal Climate Predictions, SCP, and Socio-Economic implications for Lagos State, held on Wednesday, at Ikeja.

Recall that the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMET, on the February 4, 2025, as part of its ministerial mandate released this year’s SCP which is a forecast of the expected patterns of rainfall temperature and other weather parameters in the entire country.

Wahab stressed, “The forecast for this year is based on the neutral phase of the El-Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) which is expected to persist in the first six to eight months of the year.

“This also implies early onset of the rainy season, longer than normal length and delayed end of the rainy season in Lagos. As a result, above normal rainfall amounts are anticipated in the first peak of the rainy season while normal rainfall amounts are expected in the second peak of the rainy season.

“Additionally, the rainfall from neighbouring Ogun, Oyo and Osun States, dams release and rivers water levels into the State will be monitored closely.

“The rainy season is expected to start as early as the last week of March, while the end of season is expected in the first week of December. Also, the average annual rainfall amount predicted is 1936mm which is greater than the long-term (1991-2020) average.

“Specifically, Ikeja is expected to have an onset date of 2nd April, cessation date of 2nd December and an annual amount of 1900mm while Badagry is expected to have a rainfall onset date of 30th March, end of season date of 4th December and a rainfall annual amount of 1978mm.

“Ikorodu is expected to have a rainfall onset date of 2nd April, end of season date of 3rd December with an annual amount of 1903mm just as Lagos Island on its part is expected to have a rainfall onset date of 1st April, cessation date of 3rd December and annual amount of 1936mm.

“Epe is expected to have a rainfall onset date of 31st March, cessation date of 4 th December, an annual amount of 1952mm.

“Lagos State is expected to experience above normal rainfall and the same scenario is also expected to be experienced in the neighbouring Ogun State.

“It is also expected that the high amounts of rainfall sometimes would lead to flash flooding events in some parts of the State.

“Because strong winds are expected during the onset and the end of each rainy season, lives and properties may be at risk. Commercial activities disruption, flight delays and resulting revenue loss could also arise.

“It should be noted that the State has put in place its own network of weather stations as well as river gauge stations to monitor the weather and river levels in our state as well as increase preparedness for weather and flood related issues.

“The Ministry is collaborating with NiMet in the annual Seasonal Climate Prediction which has been valuable as a vital weather and early warning tool for farmers, planners, decision makers and operators of the various sectors and businesses that are likely to be impacted by the annual rainfall.

“At this juncture, let me assure you that our State will continue to reap the benefits of careful and rigorous planning, as our flood control measures are being stepped up to contain any imminent rainfall.

“To ensure a flood-free and hygienic environment in the state, the Ministry has embarked on an all-year-round drainage maintenance programme for effective and efficient flood control, in addition to an efficient and sustainable solid waste management system.

“To effectively contain flooding in our state, we are determined to continue the long-established synergy and partnership with the Ogun-Oshun River Basin Development Authority (OORBDA), which has ensured control and monitoring of the steady and systemic release of water from Oyan Dam to prevent flooding of the downstream reaches of the Ogun River.

“This mutual relationship has been highly beneficial in the past, and we intend to sustain it.

“Therefore, the low-lying areas of Agiliti, Agboyi, Itowolo and Ajegunle communities in Lagos State are being closely monitored with respect to the likelihood of Ogun River over flowing its banks as well as all other river basins in the state.

“The Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA) will as usual be on stand bye to make sure advertising and communication agencies comply with regulations on the safety of billboards and telecommunication masts to prevent the incidences of telecommunication mast collapse caused by high wind speed, as it is expected during the onset and cessation of every rainfall season.

“This is to put all emergency response organizations, traffic management organizations, and other emergency-related organizations on high alert to help lessen the damaging effects of thunderstorms and associated heavy rainfalls in the State.

“I want to use this platform to make a plea to Lagosians, through the media to help inform the public that, as it is the case in several coastal cities across the world, it is occasionally normal to have flash floods when it rains, which will percolate or drain off rapidly, a few hours after.

“It is only when such floods remain on the roads for several hours that we can report that a particular area is flooded. I therefore wish to plead with the media to avoid sensational headlines that cause panic.

“We all need to be wary of another contributory factor to flooding which is the rise in Lagoon level. Anytime there is high tidal movement, it may “lock up” the discharge points of drainage channels and until it recedes, there will be no discharge.

“Such occurrences also cause backflow, resulting to flash flooding. But as soon as the Lagoon water level recedes, all the generated storm water will immediately be discharged, and our roads will be free.

“The present proactive administration in the State, in response to the above phenomena, has strengthened the Flood Early Warning Systems (FEWS) to deliver reliable, timely and effective flood information at an appropriate response time to also aid adequate preparations.

“We will continue to step up our enlightenment efforts to sensitize and advise communities in coastal and low-lying wetland areas of the State, to move upland in order to avoid needless loss of lives and property, when the need arises.

“We will also continue to protect our water bodies from indiscriminate discharge of solid waste as well as erection of illegal structures along the drainage alignment/setback.

“Join the Sanwo-Olu administration in sensitizing Lagosians who reside along flood plains of major rivers and drainage channels such as Owode, Iwaya, Makoko, Badia, Ijora, Isaalu, Pota, Shibiri, among others, to always be on the alert and ready to relocate to higher grounds when the need arises.

“We shall, as usual, notify such residents at the appropriate time when it becomes inevitable. However, during the rainy season this year, motorists should as a matter of precautionary measure, observe prescribed speed limits on the roads to losing control or skidding off the highways.

“To our people, we sincerely appeal that they refrain from acts that can lead to flash flooding. They should stop indiscriminate dumping of refuse in unauthorized places, clogging drains with silt or construction materials, erecting structures within and around Drainage Right of Ways and setbacks.

“All residents are enjoined to become whistle blowers by reporting cases of drainage blockages, dumping of waste into canals and other unauthorized places to our Resident Engineers across all Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas and zero tolerance offices statewide.

“The contact details of our Drainage Engineers are available in all our 57 Local Governments Areas and Local Council Development Areas to attend to all drainage related matters during and after the rainy season.”