Do You Live In Flood Risk Area In Lagos When It Rains?

Editor’s Note: Lagos, during rainy season can be a very challenging place to live. When it rains in this city, the roads are flooded, streets submerged and properties lost to the fiery torrents o heavy downpour. But rainfall can also mean different things to different people depending on which part of the city one reside.

Story Highlights:

• After a long dry season, the rains are here.

• Lagos rain means different things to different residents.

• While some Lagosians are grateful for the cool relief of the rain, others agonize because of flood and other problems associated with the inclement weather.

• While Lagos rain is natural because the city lies in the coastal belt, bad environmental practices by residents often lead to flooding.

After what has been a long spell of dry season which brings with it scorching hot weather, the wet season is here.

Ordinarily, the cool, breezy and cold season of the wet season is meant to be a welcome relief from the heat of the dry season, but in Lagos, the rain can mean different thing to different people depending on which part of this mega city one resides

While some Lagosians heave sigh of relief when the clouds gather and the rain pours down in torrents. Some other Lagosians are full of fear that the rain will be a harbinger of sorrows, tears and blood.

A  flooded street in Lagos

For this class of Lagosians, the rain rather than bring relief and succor brings flood which sweeps everything in its path. Those who live in flood prone areas of Lagos have had a raw deal when it rains.

The after effects of rain in Lagos can be seen when the streets are flooded, cars submerged, houses also flooded while properties are destroyed. In extreme cases, people have gone missing when raging flood from several days of raining submerge entire neighbouhood. Children have died and houses have collapsed due to the menace of flood in this mega city.

Now we can see that Lagos rain has many faces—while some residents are happy when it rains, others wear a gloomy look like the weather when it rains. But really, which part of Lagos can one point to that is safe from being flooded?

Poor environmental practices often lead to flooding

From Agbado to Iyana Ipaja, Akute to Agege and Ikeja, people living in those areas will have sad tales to tell of how the rain has wrecked havoc to lives and properties. In Surulere, Mile Two, Ajegunle, Apapa, to Badagry Lagosians are complaining.

This is not to talk of Lagosians living in coastal enclaves like Ikoyi, Vicotirla Island and Lekki , Ajah. These are places where even the elite also suffer serious flood problems. In Lekki for example, when building a house, the cost of putting up a foundation can complete a entire building in other upland areas.

In Lekki, Ajah, a little rain drop of rain can submerge an entire neighbourhood and render it impassable for human and vehicular movements. But Lagos rain can also be unpredictable.  While it may be raining in your part of town, others may be experiencing a fair weather in their parts of town.

That is Lagos rain for you. That Lagos is a coastal area surrounded by large body of water is a well known fact. So naturally, the rain can bring flood when rain water flowing into the sea is pushed back to land. But Lagosians have been blamed for their environmental practices which often lead to flooding. Blocked drainage and other careless behaviours have led to some very devastating flood.

Former Lagos State Governor, Fashola inspecting a blocked canal

While the office of Lagos State Flood Drainage Services of the state Ministry of Environment through its Emergency Flood Abatement Department has been trying its best to reduce the economic and social impact of flood on the state, Lagosians must also know that imbibing good environmental behavior is key to a flood-free city.

As the wet season gathers momentum, Lagosians are expecting the unexpected. So we would like to ask, how is the rain in your part of Lagos? Are you happy when it rains? Or you are one of those Lagosians who wears a mournful look as if in a funeral. Let’s hear your view.

 

 

 

 

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