Lagos to experience 240-day rainfall from March 19- Commissioner for Environment, Tunji Bello says

Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources in Lagos state, Tunji Bello, says the 2020 rainfall prediction by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) shows that the state will experience 240 to 270 days rainfall that is to begin on March 19th and end November 22nd.

Bello made this known at a news conference on the 2020 seasonal rainfall predictions and prevention of flooding in Lagos, held at the ministry’s conference room today Tuesday March 10th, 

According to the Commissioner, the essence of the Seasonal Rainfall Prediction (SRP) is to allay fears of residents of the state and prepare them ahead for the likely consequences of the rain. He said rainfall prediction for Lagos in 2020 was a near-normal one, with Ikeja expected to have about 1,526 millimeters, while Badagry 1,759 millimeters. He added that Lagos Island will have 1,714 millimeters rainfall, Ikorodu with 1,690 millimeters and Epe with 1,730 millimeters.

The commissioner said before the rainy season, a couple of rainfall was expected to occur which would be enormous and tend to give a false start to the rainy season.

Lagos Island is expected to have a rainfall onset date of March 19, with an error margin of three days, while its cessation date is expected to be November 26. It is also expected that Lagos Island will have about 252 days of rainfall and about 1,714 millimeters of rainfall over the year.

It can be deduced that Lagos State shall experience a rainy season of 240-270 days, while the maximum annual rainfall is predicted to be 1,750 millimeters. Year 2020 will likely experience days with extremely high rainfall amount which may result in flooding.

Another contributory factor to possible flooding in the state is sea level rise. This poses the biggest risk to coastal areas and the state’s drainage infrastructure, as anytime there is high tidal movement, it may lock up the discharged points of drainage channels and until it recedes, there will be no discharge.

Such occurrences also caused back flows, resulting in flooding but as soon as the Lagoon recedes, all generated storm water run-off will immediately discharge and our roads will be free.” Bello said

He added that the flood control measures in the state had been stepped up to contain any unforeseen weather condition.