The Lagos State Government has alerted Lagosians of the impending heavy rainfall which is to begin next week.

The government urged Lagosians to brace up and desist from dumping refuse on drainage channels because the August break was over and that heavy rain would begin again as from next week which might result in flood if proper care was not taken.

In order to avert another tragedy like the Sunday, 10 July heavy rain that led to massive flooding in several parts of the Lagos metropolis, the government has begun massive clearing of drainage channels across the state.

Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello visited System II channel on Wednesday to inspect the level of work being done by the contractor, Zapex Construction Company.

The System II channel which measures 10km begins from Onipanu and runs through Bajulaiye to the University of Lagos and across five local government areas which include Lagos Mainland, Shomolu, Bariga, Kosofe and some parts of Mushin.

According to Bello, heavy rainfall should be expected as from next week according to the prediction by the Nigeria Meteorological Agency, NIMET, saying that there was the need for Lagosians to brace up and embrace proper sanitary measures aimed at minimising flood.

“We should be prepared for more rains as from next week. We are taking necessary steps to minimise flood. People should realise that it is to their own interest not to dump refuse into drainage channels because the 10 July flood was caused by blocked drainage.

“What informed this tour is the aftermath of Governor Babatunde Fashola’s tour of affected areas by the 10 July flood. We have come to the end of the August break and we should expect to see rains falling as from next week,” he stated.

Bello, who was at the UNILAG part of System II Channel told newsmen that the government had concluded arrangement to line all its drainage channels to pave way for easy clearance whenever it wants to remove refuse from blocked channels.

According to him, all channels would be lined like it was done at the UNILAG section, saying that it would take at least one year to line the entire System II Channel.

The commissioner explained that before lining a channel could be done, it must first of all be dammed, but noted that damming a drainage channel had its necessary evil, which could lead to minor flooding in some areas.

“When you line a channel, it becomes very easy to clean up and maintain such channel,” he said.

Bello added that the state government had started demolishing structures on drainage channels, saying that many parts of the metropolis where structures were erected on drainage path would be visited with the demolition train.

The commissioner lamented that the last heavy rain led to loss of lives and property and that government wanted to prevent this at all costs while appealing to Lagosians not to empty their refuse into drainage channels again.

Chairman, Shomolu Local Government, Hon. Gbolahan Bagostowe said the council had notified the government of the problems faced by residents of the area whenever it rained, saying that the 10 July rain wreaked havoc on the area.

“We have been sensitising the people not to dump refuse into drainage channels. When it rained last time, the bridge on the canal here was blocked with refuse and water could not pass through. So, it entered people’s houses,” he said.

http://news2.onlinenigeria.com/news/107873-lagos-warns-of-another-heavy-rain.html

hoopefully, by now fashola would have done something about it by now.

the flooding should not be as bad as the previous one. not that there would not be another flooding because it is natural but he should by now reduce the effect

alj_harem:

hoopefully, by now fashola would have done something about it by now.

the flooding should not be as bad as the previous one. not that there would not be another flooding because it is natural but he should by now reduce the effect

well, the flood should not be as bad as the flood, but there's little or nothing fashola can do in that brief time to prevent excessive flooding if that magnitude of rain should fall again, one of the things he can do is to create awareness.

It is really up to communities to ensure their drains and blocked waterways are cleared. It seems silly to expect the state government to take responsibility for something like this.

At least it's enough warning for people in flood-prone areas to move elsewhere if possible or at least safeguard their homes as best as they can.

Make he no reach my mama place shaaaa

oops! let me go and get my properties floating in the air, b4 the flood comes in and mess the whole place up,

go and place two layers of block at ur mothers door post so that when the flood comes, it will only be admiring ur mothers room, but cannot go inside,

foolish man.His he a meteorologist?

at least I can be better prepared for the heavy downpour by relocating temporary to my village.

God help Lagosians, used to be one

N101:

It is really up to communities to ensure their drains and blocked waterways are cleared. It seems silly to expect the state government to take responsibility for something like this.

At least it's enough warning for people in flood-prone areas to move elsewhere if possible or at least safeguard their homes as best as they can.

So you are saying that there is absolutely no chances that the State can send out it's many LAWMA employees to ensure that drains in most of the areas they are hired to served in are cleared, and that garbage is picked up so as to reduce chances of drainage blockage this time around?  There are no chances that the Government could build sand levees on river banks likely to overflow, ahead of time?

Do you folks get selective amnesia or something when it comes to having government protect the people, or something?

i saw somewhere on facebk dat lagos spiritualist were demanding 50 virgins of marriagable age 2 appease yemoja against d on coming terrible down pour, i lolled cos if dats d only condition 2save lagos, then we'll all drown

Where dem wan see 50 virgins ? am sure not in lagos cos almost every teenage girl don help themself

i dont believe that story jooh

I havent chosen a better time for my trip. I go dey read the news when i come back

I'll be ready with my umblella.

Smdh are they God? BBC sef they miss weather forecast

tunde300us:

Where dem wan see 50 virgins ? am sure not in lagos cos almost every teenage girl don help themself

Looooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooool
LGKMDIE

Yes indeed, 50 virgins are required to take part in a ceremony / ritual to appease the Gods:

http://www.wazobiareport.com/newsflash/Lagos-state-seeks-50-virgins-to-avert-flooding

hehehe! At least d warning gong has been sounded. People shld brace up and do d right thing. No excuses. We can't stop nature's course.

Please note that the 'wazobia' report on 50 virgins is not real.

^^ will they even see up to 50?

^^
yes they can. . .make them try unilag

^^^ Hahahaha. No be aristos them dey find nau.

Thanks to Lagos State for the timely warning. For those who are at risk of flood, kindly consider the safety following tips:

Here are important things you need to do once flood warning has been issued:
•Information is crucial during situations like these. Thus, you need to always listen to the radio for announcements and updates.
•Be sure to cooperate fully with local authorities and emergency services. If they require you to evacuate, follow them and do not dillydally as you will put yourself and your helpers at risk.
•Since electricity will almost certainly be unavailable, you must ensure that you do all the things you need to do during the day. It is much more difficult and unsafe to do things in the dark. Also get batteries for your torches and know where they are.
•Share the information with your neighbors, particularly the old people, so that they can also prepare themselves.
•Be sure to stay inside your house. Floodwater can kill, especially when it is raging, so do not attempt to go out. It is important to note that rapid flowing water that is six inches high could make you fall, while two feet of water could make your car float.
•Ensure that your pets and cars are in a safe location. Once you heard of flood warning, you should stay on the second floor of your house.
•There maybe objects floating in the water, so do not attempt to swim through raging flood. You can either be swept away or be knocked over by objects that are in the water.
•Floodwater may be dirty and contaminated with sewage, so you should avoid contact if possible. It would be a shame that you survived the flooding, but fell ill because of contaminated water.
•River bridges, sea defenses, and riverbanks are very dangerous places to be in during floods, so be sure to steer away from them if possible. There have been many cases wherein floodwater have destroyed or collapsed bridges and defenses.

Culled from - http://dyno.home-maintenance.info/drains/flooding-tips/

pls let be prepared,

Lol @ Yemoja and the 50 virgins.

More seriously, I think its a good thing that the state govenment is becoming proactive with this issue. The government should continue to sensitize the people to avoid dumping waste on the available drainages, even as it continues to build new ones and cover up existing ones.

As a more permanent solution, the government could consider adopting the strategy of the Dutch: It could consider getting Dutch assistance in building dykes and levees on strategic locations.

Naija! We too get agidi. Are we stil to be told where and where nt 2 dump refuse or "don't use ur house 2 block draimage systems". It's gradually bcomin wat we can do hlp ourselves and our country.

I donot think this government is serious about this drainage system ll, the channel through shomolu to bajulaiye has been neglected since last year.

The contractor equipment has been moved away. As at this morning there is no sign off returning to work on the channel.
Please let them come and through the channel they blocked early as this is affecting the flow of water.

Fashola second term regime is not working, lagos is sleeping, Pls wake up.

I am building an arch, a mighty arch bigger than that of Biblical Noah, you can subscribe for a space for you and your family  cos it gonna be heavy rain.