Rain visited Lagos in 2019 with a greater intensity which resulted to damaged roads and flooding across the state. Not that the rains came unannounced as meteorologists had warned months ahead that the rains of 2019 would be heavier, not just in Lagos but across the country. Climate change has set into these parts.
Except for 1973, flooding in the months between May and September is a regular feature of Lagos. It worsened in recent years because of higher volumes but also negative practises that block drains and expose residents to higher flooding risks. It is insufficient succour to note that flooding hit most parts of the country this year.
High-water levels in rivers Niger and Benue as well as heavy rainfall resulted in flooding in Cross River, Kogi, Niger and Taraba States from 21 to 27 September. Adamawa experienced even worse floods in October.
The International Committee of the Red Cross and Nigeria’s Meteorological Agency report that the flood in 54 communities affected some 18, 640 people (3, 104 households) while a further 4, 485 people are currently displaced due to flood waters.
The report notes further, “To note, since June 2019, torrential rainfalls and flash floods have hit 124 Local Government Areas within 36 states and Federal Capital Territory – Abuja (FCT) in Nigeria. This has affected a total number of 210,117 people with 171 casualties recorded in hospital and 130,610 people reported to be displaced. Flash floods are due to the high intensity of the rainfalls at the peak of the flood season which is experienced in places that are flood prone. The floods have been widespread with the worst impacting some states within the six geo-political zones in Nigeria; North West (5 states), North Central (7 states), North East (5 states), South East (5 states), South-South (5 states) in South West (4 states) totalling 32 states severely affected (out of 36 states of Nigeria and FCT)”.
“The Niger Basin Authority in the Niger Republic have informed NIHSA that the Niger river levels are now in the ‘red alert zone’. This zone is defined by water levels reaching (or above) 6.20 m. This is illustrated in the Comparative Hydrograph of River Niger at Lokoja at 26th September the water levels are at 10.50 m. It is anticipated that water from the Niger Republic will arrive in Nigeria through Kebbi state and reach Anambra, Bayelsa, Edo, Kogi and Kwara states.”
In August, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency embarked on an awareness campaign to sensitize citizens on preventive actions against the floods. It was either too little or too late because when the rains came, most parts of Lagos lay prostrate.
Each time it rains in Lagos, citizens lose cars, houses, various other properties and, occasionally, lives. Gaping craters lie beneath pools of water and vehicles enter at their own risk. Citizen Frank Donga in a tongue-in-cheek tweet lately paid homage to potholes: contractors feed fat from fixing them, mechanics are guaranteed a steady supply of cars to repair, politicians have an electoral promise to make every four years, and potholes are an ally of touts and robbers.
Lagos State must adopt a more holistic approach working with communities and citizen’s groups to tackle the menace of flooding beginning this November. We must improve drainage systems, relocate people from areas that are now below the water levels, and manage waste better. Ongoing road rehabilitation must take cognisance of the water levels reached during the height of the rainy season and work to ensure the roads and drainages are built better to avoid repeat scenarios.
Other states and the federal government must follow suit. We can and must work to ensure an end to the tales of woe arising from rainfall every year in Lagos and the rest of Nigeria.
