Emmanuel Thomas. Lagos
June 11, 2015 – Lagos State Government has advised residents living in the low line flood-prone areas to relocate as water table rises due to high intensity of rainfall.
Permanent Secretary Office of Drainage Services, Engr.Ayodeji Adenekan who gave the wraning explained that it had been raining since March, hence increase the water level of the lagoons and rivers, resulting in back-flow into adjoining low line areas.
He further explained that this had also led to the inability of the various channels and drains to discharge.
Adenaken further explained that Lagos as a coastal state is susceptible to flash flood and that anytime it rained with high intensity, residents of low line areas were especially prone to the back flow effect.
“People living in low line areas are vulnerable to flooding because the low line areas are natural flood plains which ought not to be converted to residential abodes. However, we expect the water to recede with time”, he said.
He further advised those residing along flood plains, low line areas and other coast lines, like Ajegunle, Owode-Onirin axis, Owode-Elelede, kuramo beach, Alpha beach, Okun-mapo, Okun Ajah, Mende-Maryland, Ijora-Badia, Iwaya etc and other low line areas to be extremely careful and may need to vacate their residence temporarily once they notice gradual accumulation of rising water and move to higher grounds as the state is not ready to lose any life during the rainy period.
He stressed that this advice must be re-echoed before the rain begins so that the people could always be on the alert. He also emphasised that primary and secondary channels in the state were being maintained and dredged to contain flood related challenges that may occur in the state.
Adenekan advised Lagosians to be safety conscious during this period, as well as advised on some safety measures such as to avoid going out during the rains except only when it is absolutely necessary, to be conscious when driving and try as much as possible not to over speed.
He called on motorists to ensure that their vehicles are in good condition; avoid driving through flooded areas since it might be difficult to ascertain its depth and to plan their journey before going out and avoid unnecessary outings.
He however, assured that the State Government would continue to intensify its mid rain cleaning and maintenance programme and promised not to relent until the zero tolerance target to flooding is attained in the state.
