LAGOS TO EXPERIENCE ABOVE-NORMAL RAINFALL IN YEAR 2025
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The Lagos State Government said Wednesday that the first peak of the 2025 rainy season is projected to have above-average rainfall levels in the state, while the second peak is expected to see regular rainfall levels.
Speaking at the Seasonal Climate Predictions (SCP) press briefing at Alausa, Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources Mr. Tokunbo Wahab stated that the SCP is continuing the custom of informing the public each year about the trends of the rainfall forecast for Y2025 and its socioeconomic consequences for the people of Laos State.
According to Wahab, this year’s prognosis is predicated on the El Nino Southern Oscillation’s (ENSO) neutral phase, which is anticipated to last for the first six to eight months of the year. The prognosis, he said, also suggests that the rainy season would begin earlier than usual, last longer than usual, and terminate later in Lagos.
According to him, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) issued this year’s Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) on February 4, 2025, as part of its ministerial duty. The SCP was a forecast of the anticipated patterns of temperature, precipitation, and other weather indices for the entire nation.
The Commissioner clarified that the state holds the briefing every year as part of its proactive strategy to educate and inform the public about critical climate information and prepare them for the anticipated effects of the rainy season and other pertinent weather events.
In particular, he said that Ikeja is anticipated to experience 1900 mm of rainfall with an onset date of April 2 and a cessation date of December 2, while Badagry is anticipated to experience 30 March rainfall with an end-of-season date of December 4 and an annual rainfall total of 1978 mm.
He went on to say that Ikorodu is anticipated to experience rainfall beginning on April 2 and ending on December 3, with an annual total of 1903 mm. In contrast, Lagos Island is anticipated to experience rainfall beginning on April 1, ending on December 3, and having an annual total of 1936 mm.
He emphasized that Epe is anticipated to have an annual rainfall total of 1952 mm with an onset date of March 31 and a termination date of December 4. He also noted that Lagos State is anticipated to experience above-normal rainfall, and that the neighboring state of Ogun State is also anticipated to experience the same situation.
Wahab added that strong winds are predicted at the beginning and end of each rainy season, which could endanger lives and property, disrupt commercial activities, and cause flight delays that could cost the state money. He also said that heavy rainfall is sometimes expected to cause flash flooding events in some areas of the state.
As flood control measures are being stepped up to contain any impending rainfall, he reassured citizens that the State Government will continue to benefit from meticulous and rigorous preparation.
According to him, the state has set up a network of weather stations and river gauge stations to keep an eye on the state’s weather and river levels and to improve readiness for weather-related emergencies and floods.
The Commissioner emphasized that in addition to an effective and sustainable solid waste management system, the Ministry will continue its year-round drainage maintenance program for effective and efficient flood control in order to guarantee a clean and flood-free environment in the state.
He urged media professionals to keep using their platforms to raise awareness among Lagos residents, as is the case in many coastal towns worldwide. He also mentioned that flash floods are common during rainy seasons and that they will quickly spread a few hours later.
He urged the media to refrain from using yelling and dramatic headlines that can incite panic, adding that it is only possible to declare a region inundated when the floods have been on the roads for a few hours.
However, he said, the government has improved its Flood Early Warning Systems (FEWS) to provide accurate, fast, and useful flood information at the right time to help with proper preparations.
He stated that the government would maintain the long-standing cooperation and partnership with the Ogun-Oshun River Basin Development Authority (OORBDA) in order to effectively control flooding in the state. This partnership has been very beneficial in the past and is meant to be maintained. It has ensured control and monitoring of the steady and systemic release of water from Oyan Dam in order to prevent flooding of the downstream reaches of the Ogun River.
According to him, the possibility of the Ogun River exceeding its banks and overflowing all other river basins in Lagos State is being constantly watched in the low-lying settlements of Agiliti, Agboyi, Itowolo, and Ajegunle.
In order to prevent unnecessary loss of life and property when the need arises, he reaffirmed that the government would keep stepping up its education efforts to raise awareness and counsel communities in the State’s coastal and low-lying marsh areas to move upland.
He went on to say that the government would keep guarding against the construction of unauthorized structures along the drainage alignment or setback and the careless discharge of solid waste into the water bodies.
The Commissioner urged the media to keep raising awareness among Lagos residents who live along major rivers’ flood plains and drainage channels, including Owode, Iwaya, Makoko, Badia, Ijora, Isaalu, Pota, and Shibiri, among others, to always be vigilant and prepared to relocate to higher ground when necessary. The government will notify these residents when it becomes necessary.
In order to assist mitigate the devastating impacts of thunderstorms and the heavy rainfall that goes along with them in the State, he said, all emergency response organizations, traffic management organizations, and other emergency-related organizations are being placed on high alert.
In order to prevent the occurrence of telecommunication mast collapses due to high wind speeds, which are anticipated at the beginning and end of each rainfall season, he added, the Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA) will continue to be on standby to ensure that advertising and communication agencies adhere to regulations on the safety of billboards and telecommunication masts.
Wahab further suggested that drivers follow posted speed limits on the roads as a precaution to avoid losing control or skidding off the highways.
He encouraged locals to report drainage obstructions and rubbish disposal into canals and other unapproved locations to resident engineers in every LGA and LCDA.
In order to address any drainage-related issues during and after the rainy season, he noted, the contact information for the drainage engineers is provided in each of the 57 Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas.
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