Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tunji Bello
The Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tunji Bello, has said the state will experience about 238 to 261 days of rainfall in 2021.
Bello, who disclosed this at the 2021 Seasonal Rainfall Predictions on Wednesday in Ikeja, said the maximum annual rainfall for 2021 was predicted to be 1,747mm, adding that the government was set to ensure a flood-free and hygienic environment during the season.
According to Bello, the onset of the rainy season for the state is between March 17 and April 6, with a cessation date of between November 30 and December 5.
He said, “Ikeja is expected to experience about 261 days of rainfall with a total amount of 1392mm and the rainfall onset date of 17th March it already witnessed while the cessation date is expected to be 3rd of December 2021.
“Lagos Island has had a rainfall onset date of 6th April, while its cessation date is expected to be 30th of November. It is also expected that Lagos Island would have about 238 days of rainfall and about 1627mm of rainfall this year.
“It is also expected that year 2021 would likely experience days with extremely high rainfall amounts which may result in flooding.”
Bello added that the Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency had been put on alert to ensure advertising and communication agencies comply with regulations on the safety of billboards and telecommunication masts while emergency agencies, traffic management agencies and other emergency-related outfits have assist in reducing the negative impact of thunderstorm associated with rainfall across the state.
He further stated that the state government would maintain the long-established synergy and partnership with Ogun-Osun River Basin Authority to control and monitor the steady and systemic release of water from Oyan Dam to prevent flooding of the downstream reaches.
The Special Adviser on Drainage Services and Water Resources, Joe Igbokwe, also disclosed that the state government planned to dredge about 221 collector drains and 32 primary channels across the local government areas of the state to checkmate flooding.
