Lagos To Experience Abnormal Rainfall In 2024 – Commissioner Raises Alarm
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Tokunbo Wahab, Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Lagos State, says the state is expected to experience abnormal rainfall in 2024 with a total of 1936.2 mm predicted rainfall.
Wahab said this at a news conference on 2024 Seasonal Climate Predictions (SCP) and socio-economic implications for Lagos State on Tuesday.
Wahab said the average annual rainfall predicted for 2024 was 1936.2 mm, which was greater than the long-term average of 1721.48 mm with the onset date expected to be the first week of April and ceasing in the first week of December.
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According to him, Ikeja is expected to have an onset date of April 4 and cessation date of December 4 with a high annual amount of 1900 mm rainfall.
He said Badagry would have a rainfall onset date of April 1 and cessation date of December 5 resulting in an annual amount of 1978 mm.
He added that Ikorodu was expected to have a rainfall onset date of April 4 and cessation date of December 4, totaling an annual amount of 1903 mm.
He said Lagos Island would have a rainfall onset date of April 3, cessation date of December 4 and an annual amount of 1936 mm.
Epe is expected to have a rainfall onset date of April 2, cessation date of December 5 and an annual amount of 1952 mm.
Epe is expected to have a rainfall onset date of April 2, cessation date of December 5 and an annual amount of 1952 mm.
According to him, below normal rainfall is anticipated in the first half of the rainy season, while normal to above normal rainfall is expected in the second half of the rainy season.
He said the Ministry’s collaboration with NiMet on Seasonal Climate Prediction had been valuable as a vital weather and early warning tool for farmers, decision makers, operators of the various sectors and businesses likely to be impacted by the annual rainfall.
He said government had plans to downscale the Seasonal Climate Prediction to stakeholders and emergency workers in the state.
He added that the state had deployed and maintained its network of weather stations and river gauge stations to monitor the weather and river levels in the state and increase the preparedness for weather and flood related issues.
“We want to assure you that our state will continue to reap the benefits of a careful and rigorous execution planning, as our flood control measures are stepped up to contain any imminent rainfall.
“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,” Wahab said.
He noted that to effectively contain flooding in the state, government was determined to maintain the synergy and partnership with the Ogun-Oshun River Basin Authority (OORBDA).
He added that the rainfall from neighbouring Ogun, Oyo and Osun states, dams release and river water levels into the state would also be monitored.
