The Lagos State Government has urged residents to stay calm and take necessary precautions following a prolonged rainfall that triggered flash floods in several parts of the city on Monday.

Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, made this appeal in an official statement, warning that the over 12-hour downpour could temporarily overwhelm the city’s drainage systems—especially in waterfront and low-lying areas.

“Being a coastal city, Lagos often experiences rising lagoon water levels during intense rainfalls,” Wahab explained. “This can lead to tidal locks, which prevent stormwater from discharging efficiently through our drainage channels.”

The downpour, which began late Sunday, was compounded by a weather advisory from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET), forecasting continued heavy rainfall and thunderstorms over the next three days.

Wahab noted that the state’s existing flood management infrastructure is capable of handling the situation but stressed that extreme weather events require a shared commitment to safety.

“In situations where there is more than usual rainfall, as experienced in the last 12 hours, collective responsibility is needed to mitigate the impact,” he stated.

The commissioner issued several safety advisories:

• Residents living near rivers and lagoons should exercise extreme caution, as high-current flash floods are likely.
• Parents are advised to keep children indoors and away from flooded zones.
• Motorists and pedestrians should avoid attempting to cross flooded roads to prevent drowning or vehicle entrapment.

Wahab also condemned the practice of dumping waste in drainage channels, which he said significantly worsens flooding by blocking stormwater flow.

“Indiscriminate refuse disposal during the rainy season is not only irresponsible but dangerous,” he warned. “Offenders will face legal consequences.”

To strengthen the state’s resilience, Wahab said the government has continued year-round clearing of drainages and has recently awarded contracts for the concrete-lining of critical water channels to enhance stormwater management.

Emergency response teams, he added, have been placed on alert and will continue to monitor affected areas and respond swiftly where needed.

“The safety of our residents is paramount. We urge everyone to remain vigilant, comply with safety advisories, and report any emergency promptly,” Wahab said.

The Lagos State Government reiterated its commitment to ensuring that the city remains habitable despite climate-related challenges and appealed for community cooperation during the peak of the rainy season.

The post Lagos Appeals for Calm After 12-Hour Downpour Sparks Flash Flooding appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The governor issued the warning on Sunday in Ado Ekiti while inspecting areas affected by heavy flooding on Saturday. The inspection included a visit to the Osekita area of Ekiti State University (EKSU), where hostels were inundated by floodwaters. Governor Oyebanji, represented by Deputy Governor Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, donated food palliatives to students who lost personal belongings in the incident.

Addressing the victims, the governor urged residents to avoid actions that could thwart the government’s flood control measures. He emphasized that indiscriminate dumping of refuse and illegal building on waterways are significant factors exacerbating flooding in the state.

Governor Oyebanji expressed sympathy for the flood victims, particularly the students, and stressed that many of the causes of flooding could be prevented if citizens refrained from obstructing drainage systems and waterways. He noted that the government had been proactive in addressing the issue by dredging rivers and channelizing flood-prone areas, such as the Elemi and Ureje rivers in Ado Ekiti.

“On behalf of Governor Oyebanji, I sympathize with you on this unfortunate incident. Despite the sad circumstances, we thank God no lives were lost. The government has made significant investments in flood control, and we will continue to assist victims of natural disasters like floods, rainstorms, and fires,” the governor said.

Governor Oyebanji further assured the public that the Ekiti State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) would assess the affected areas for proper documentation and assistance.

In response to the incident, EKSU Vice Chancellor Professor Babatola Ayodele promised that the university would take preventive measures to avoid future occurrences, including raising awareness among students about avoiding flood-prone accommodations. He lamented the loss of students’ valuables, including books and foodstuffs, and called for relief packages to ease their hardship.

One of the affected students, Adekunle Adeyemi, expressed gratitude for the governor’s visit and noted that the relief materials would greatly help them during this challenging time.

The post Ekiti Governor Warns Developers Against Building on Waterways Amid Flooding Concerns appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted heavy rainfall for Thursday, September 28 and Friday, September 29, 2023 in several States across the country with a possibility of flash floods in some States.

NiMet’s heavy rainfall forecast showed that moderate to heavy rainfall is expected over parts of Katsina, Kano, Jigawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Plateau, Borno, Adamawa, Taraba, Kaduna, Niger, Nasarawa, Kogi, Enugu, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Abia, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ebonyi, Kwara, and Benue States, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

It also showed that very light or no rain is expected over the rest of the country, the forecast indicated.

On infrastructure, NiMet also said strong winds are a threat to weak structures, trees and mast, adding that people in affected states should disconnect electrical appliances before and not during the rains.

NiMet cautioned that the expected moderate to heavy rainfall is expected to cause some flash flooding over their areas of occurrence.

The agency also warned that strong winds may accompany the rains with the strongest winds expected over parts of Adamawa, Borno, Gombe, Bauchi, Yobe, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, and Kebbi States.

Read Also: Rising Inflation Forces Estate Developers To Renegotiate Projects

Source: LeadershipNG

The post Flash Floods: NiMet Alerts On Heavy Rainfall On Thursday & Friday appeared first on Housing TV Africa.