NiMet warns of thunderstorms as Lagos vows to reclaim drainage setbacks

State yet to begin relocation of residents in flood-prone areas, says Oshodi

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has issued a weather forecast predicting thundery and rainy conditions nationwide from Sunday through Tuesday.

In a statement, at the weekend, in Abuja, NiMet outlined the following weather expectations: On Sunday morning, thunderstorms are expected over parts of Gombe, Bauchi, Borno, Adamawa, Jigawa, Taraba, and Kaduna states. Later in the day, thunderstorms are likely in Zamfara, Kebbi, Kano, Borno, Adamawa, Bauchi, Katsina, Kaduna, Jigawa, Yobe, and Taraba states.

Central states, including Plateau, Nasarawa, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Benue, and Niger are likely to experience morning thunderstorms on Sunday, with more thunderstorms expected later in the day in Kogi, Niger, Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa, and the FCT.

Southern cities, such as Imo, Ogun, Ondo, Delta, Edo, Cross River, Bayelsa, and Lagos are forecasted to have morning rains on Sunday, followed by afternoon and evening thunderstorms over Ogun, Ondo, Edo, Delta, Imo, Ebonyi, Cross River, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, and Lagos.

The weather agency anticipates similar patterns on Monday and Tuesday, with morning thunderstorms and afternoon/evening rains expected across various states in Nigeria.

MEANWHILE, Lagos State Government, yesterday, said it remains resolute in the quest to make the metropolis flood-free.

The state’s Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, gave the assurance in an interview after an extensive inspection tour to various contravention sites, adding that the government would continue to enforce the law while reclaiming drainage setbacks.

Wahab said the team was out for the normal routine to ascertain the state of some drainage channels with hindsight that most flooding issues are majorly caused by negative human activity.

He, however, appealed to the residents to always take ownership of their environment, desist from unwholesome acts of illegal waste disposal, illegal construction of buildings on drainage/drainage setback/right of way and endeavour to say something whenever they notice an infraction to ensure that the environment remains habitable and safe for all.

However, Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Climate Change and Circular Economy, Titi Oshodi, has said that the state is yet to begin relocating residents in flood-prone areas.

Oshodi, who stated during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), yesterday, in Lagos, said the relocation would begin when it gets too extreme.