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Expect High Volume Of Rainfall, Floods — NIMET
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency, on Wednesday, sounded a note of caution that the citizens should expect high volume rainfall as the year progresses, while reacting to the July 16, 2021, severe flooding that occurred in Lagos State.
Describing the Lagos incident as unfortunate, NiMet stated that it had earlier predicted that the state would experience such an occurrence.
The agency disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja by its General Manager, Public Relations, Muntari Ibrahim.
It said, “During the seasonal climate prediction held on February 2, 2021 by NiMet, a normal to above normal rainfall was the projection for the country followed by advisories on the socio-economic implications.
“As such, high volume and high intensity rainfall is expected. These are capable of faster saturation of the soil, making it difficult to hold more volume of rainfall, hence excess runoffs with the ability to flood the environment.”
Providing updates on the recent Lagos rainfall, NiMet said its Forecast Office had on July 14, 2021 made a three-day forecast and predicted that cloudy skies were expected over the inland and coastal cities of the South, with chances of morning rainfall over parts of Rivers, Cross River and Akwa Ibom states.
It said its prediction also stated that later in the day, rain was anticipated over parts of Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Ekiti, Oyo, Osun, Lagos, Bayelsa, Cross River and Akwa Ibom states.
The agency stated, “On July 15, 2021, the forecast was made again with respect to Lagos State; this time, there was the development and the trajectory suggested that cloudy skies and rain were expected in the morning, afternoon, and evening.
“These forecasts anticipated a rainy day in the coastal city of Lagos state for July 16, 2021. Consequently, the eventual heavy rainfall that occurred in Lagos State on July 16, 2021, was expected.”
It noted that in line with the forecast, continuous rainfall was observed over Lagos and its environs from morning till evening.
It said the weather outlook for July 15, 2021 indicated that heavy volume of rainfall was observed with 125mm and 66mm of rainfall recorded at the agency’s Oshodi and Ikeja weather stations.
“This, with other factors, caused flash flood episodes, especially over the Lagos marina on Victoria Island,” NiMet stated.
The agency assured Nigerians that it would continue to monitor the weather and give alerts as of when necessary and advised the citizens to follow its forecast to avoid unpleasant calamities.
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