LASG Issues Weather Alert To Residents Leaving Wetland And Island Area

By Mohammed Adekola

Lagos State government has issued a flood alert to residents, particularly those in low-lying areas. As a coastal city, Lagos is particularly vulnerable to flooding.

Heavy rainfall often leads to flooding in communities, particularly on the Island with attendant disasters including loss of lives, building collapse and health hazards, among others.

The state government assured residents of adequate preparation for any eventualities and urged them to take proactive action.

It directed to those people living in low lying areas, such as floodplains, to relocate to higher ground in their own interest to prevent possible loss of lives.

The state Government said it has provided measures such as temporary shelters at various relief camps to residents of affected areas.

Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, while giving Year 2025 Seasonal Climate Predictions, SCP, and socio-economic implications for Lagos, sometime in January, disclosed that the state was expected to experience above normal rainfall in 2025, with a total of an annual amount of 1952mm predicted rainfall.

Residents of low-lying wetland areas of the state were alerted to relocate upland in order to avoid needless loss of lives and property when the need arises.

“The forecast for this year is based on the neutral phase of the El-Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) which is expected to persist in the first six to eight months of the year, he added.

“This also implies early onset of the rainy season, longer than normal length and delayed end of the rainy season in Lagos. As a result, above normal rainfall amounts are anticipated in the first peak of the rainy season while normal rainfall amounts are expected in the second peak of the rainy season.