The Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources Tokunbo Wahab, has disclosed that the state will experience abnormal rainfall in 2024.
According to Wahab, a total of 1,936.2 mm predicted rainfall has been predicted for the state.
He revealed this at a news conference on 2024 seasonal climate predictions and socio-economic implications for Lagos State, recently.
He said, “The average annual rainfall predicted for 2024 was 1,936.2 mm, which was greater than the long-term average of 1,721.48 mm with the onset date expected to be the first week of April and ceasing in the first week of December.”
According to Wahab, Ikeja is expected to have an onset date of April 4 and cessation date of December 4, with a high annual amount of 1,900 mm rainfall, while Badagry would have a rainfall onset date of April 1 and cessation date of December 5, resulting 1,978 mm rainfall for the year.
The commissioner noted that below-normal rainfall was anticipated in the first half of the rainy season, while normal to above-normal rainfall was expected in the second half of the rainy season.
Speaking on the ministry’s collaboration with NiMet on seasonal climate prediction, Wahab remarked that the partnership had been valuable as a vital weather and early warning tool for farmers, decision-makers, operators of the various sectors, and businesses likely to be impacted by the annual rainfall.
He assured that the rainfall from neighbouring Ogun, Oyo, and Osun States, dam release, and river water levels into the state would also be monitored.
He asserted that the partnership ensured control and monitoring of the steady and systemic release of water from Oyan Dam to prevent flooding as it reached the Ogun River.
He noted that proactively, the state had strengthened the flood early warning systems to deliver reliable, timely, and effective flood information at an appropriate response time.
