Some state residents have been advised by the Lagos State Government to make preparations for floods this month of September.
In a statement by the Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services and Water Resources, Lekan Shodeinde, the state government pointed out that the affected catchment areas include Alagbole, Meiran, Maidan, Kara, Isheri-Olowora, Agiliti, Owode-Onirin, Owode-Elede, Agboyi I, Agboyi II, Ajegunle, Itowolo, Majidun, Ibeshe, Baiyeku and Lekki-Ajah axis.
In addition to the heavy rains that are typically associated with the months of September and December each year along the Ogun River Basin, Shodeinde stated that there will be a lot of water to be expected in September 2023, necessitating the need for the alert, as have other related predictions and warnings from Nigeria Metrological Services (NIMET), Nigeria Hydrological Services (NIHSA), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and other related agencies.
According to him, the state government’s top priority is the safety of the citizens’ lives and their property. He urged everyone in the state, including those living in the designated locations, to prepare to leave if the water level rises and there are signs of flooding. He noted that, in comparison, the total quantity of rainfall recorded from January to August in the years 2023 (1,128.6mm) and 2021 (713.4mm) and 2022 (848.1mm) is higher.
According to the permanent secretary, a total of 968.6 mm of rainfall was recorded for the entire year of 2021, along with 1,140 mm for the entire year of 2022, and 1,128.6 mm for the first eight months of 2023. This means that when the remaining four months of the year are taken into account, a very high intensity of rainfall will be recorded for the entire year.
