As heavy rainfalls peak, the Lagos State Government on Sunday reminded residents, especially those close to be banks of the Ogun River to be at alert as more water will be released from Oyan Dam this month.
According to a statement signed by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tunji Bello, 23 million cubic meters of water will be released during the month which is the peak.
He explained that the release from the Oyan Dam which is the highest is as a result of the intensive rainfalls which will also climax in the current month.
He enjoined all residents of Agboyi-Ketu, Owode Onirin, Isheri, Ajegunle, Agiliti, Kara, Majidun and all areas bothering the rivers and the sea in Lagos to be very wary of the staggered release.
He added that by November, a gradual reduction of water release will be effected to the tune of 11 million cubic meters as the intensity of the rainfalls decrease.
Tunji Bello also reminded that from data provided by the Nigerian Hydrological Services, the months
of July, August, September and October also known as JASO months signify heavy rainfall, flooding and flood disasters in most parts of the country.
He reiterated that the alert has become necessary because the projected heavy rainfall which resumed in September will still continue with high intensity this month leading to staggered release of water from the dam.
The commissioner said meanwhile, the state is intensifying measures to minimise the effect of the heavy rainfalls on lives and properties.
Tunji Bello said in continuation of preventive efforts against flooding by the State Government, work is almost at completion stage at all the secondary and primary channels.
“This is in addition to the efforts of our Emergency Flood Abatement Gangs (EFAG) that are being deployed round the state to undertake quick fix to free manholes or clogged up drains manually” he said.
In his words: “For a coastal city like Lagos, let me remind everyone that once it rains consistently for a minimum of 8 hours, we are bound to have flash flood caused by increasing inability of effective discharge into the lagoon which is brought about by a rise of the ocean level.
“This will automatically lock up all our drainages and until the water level goes down, the drainages would be unable to discharge”.
“Flash floods is not peculiar to Lagos. It is the new wave in most coastal cities around the world including those who have adopted the best of technological advancements to curtail flooding”, he explained.
“Lagos is at the receiving end of 3 types, coastal, urban and river flooding because of the peculiarity of its location”, he reminded.
He urged residents to adopt an attitudinal change of not dumping refuse in drainage channels and erecting structures on drainage alignments, vowing that culprits would be punished.
He said all residents owe it a duty to support efforts of the state Government to ensure that heavy rainfalls does not wreak havoc in any parts of the state