Coping with Lagos’ rains  

Now that the rains are fully here in Lagos, it is important to put certain things into proper perspective to enhance our understanding of related issues and most importantly intimate us with helpful safety tips. The first thing to consider is the topography of Lagos. A critical feature of Lagos topography is that it is essentially made up of low lying terrain up to 0.4 percent below the sea level. Naturally, this constitutes a huge drainage challenge for the state. If this is added to the volume of rain being experienced in the state lately, it might be really be difficult to rule out flash flooding, especially in some areas of the state.

 

Second is the fact that experts across the world have made it clear, long before now, that the intensity this year’s rains will be much more than what we had in the past. For instance, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) had earlier predicted “extended rains of three to eight days for areas in and around Adamawa, Ogun, Edo, Niger Delta and low-lying areas such as Lagos. Recent developments have, indeed, come to authenticate this position, especially with regards to the volume of rains being presently experienced across the country.

 

Furthermore, it is important to emphasise that in-spite of government and other critical stakeholders’ preparedness at mitigating the effect of heavy downpour in the state, the impact might not be fully felt except the citizens totally shun negative practices that could promote flooding. For instance, some illegal waste agents being patronized by a few residents indiscriminately dump refuse in canals and large drainage channels.

 

This often results in blockage of free flow of waste water, resulting in flash flooding whenever it rains. This is often rampant in markets and other commercial centers as well densely populated areas of the state. Often times, the effects of such poor sanitary habit on affected residents are unquantifiable and devastating. Some have been rendered homeless and miserable, no thanks to human induced environmental hazards. Thus, we all need to fully embrace the culture of proper waste disposal, comply with building regulations, tap into alternative energy use, and pay necessary attention to sanitation issues among others.

In order to appropriately educate the citizens on proper means of coping during periods on intense rainfall,  NGOs, Community Development Associations, the media, members of the Civil Society and all well meaning individuals and groups in the state need to partner with the state government to achieve  the required attitudinal change towards the environment. At present, the state government is combining public enlightenment strategies to sensitize Lagosians on this development and had taken the time to proffer solutions so that the rains being currently experienced won’t have devastating effects on lives and property.

 

Whenever it is observed that the intensity of the rains is much, it is advisable that people vacate flood prone areas. Equally, it is also important for the citizenry, especially children to stay indoors in order to reduce movement to the barest minimum.  In fact, if it could be avoided, it is better not to drive while it is raining heavily.  Similarly, we need to maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene at all times to avoid being victims of water borne diseases. Also, to mitigate the effects of cold, we must ensure that children and the elderly are properly clothed with warm clothing during the rains. It is only when this is done that we will be able to curb the spread of rain induced health hazard such as cough, cold and other related ones.  Additionally, this is the time to embrace the culture of taking plenty of thoroughly washed fruits in order to boost the immune system. This is in addition to drinking water from only trusted and well tested safe sources.

 

It is also vital that residents listen to news reports and information on weather situation to aid in planning movements and avoiding flood prone locations. Also, in view of likely destructive thunder strikes that usually accompany windy rainfall, residents are strongly advised to always disconnect all electrical appliances whenever they want to sleep or go out. This will go a long way in checkmating rain induced electrical debacles.

 

Equally, clearing of drainages in our areas, making use of suitable services to dispose waste, reporting anyone dumping refuse in drains, gutters and canals to appropriate authorities, moving immediately to higher ground when flooding is imminent wherever we are, staying away from submerged electricity cables, cleaning and disinfecting everything that gets wet, staying away from canals and drainages evacuating or leaving danger zones immediately, calling 767 in case of emergency among others are crucial to our dealing with the impact of rainfall.

Perhaps, more importantly, the federal government should collaborate with states that have peculiar flooding challenges to determine areas of assistance. This must be done as a regular preventive measure. In as much as we cannot stop rain from falling, together we can mitigate its effects.

 

Tayo Ogunbiyi

Ogunbiyi is of the Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos