NiMet predicts three-day thunderstorms from Monday

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted thunderstorms from Monday to Wednesday across the nation. NiMet`s weather outlook released in Abuja on Sunday forecast morning thunderstorms on Monday over parts of Sokoto state, Kebbi and Borno. According to it, thunderstorms are envisaged over parts of Borno, Yobe, Jigawa, Taraba, Adamawa, Gombe, Bauchi, Kano, Katsina, Kaduna, Zamfara, Kebbi and Sokoto States later in the day. “Thunderstorms are anticipated over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, Nasarawa, Benue, Plateau and Kwara States during the morning hours. “ In the afternoon and evening periods, isolated thunderstorms are expected over parts of Kwara, the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, Benue and Kogi states. “Rains are envisaged over the southwest inland, especially parts of Oyo, Ondo, Osun, Ekiti and Ogun extending to the coastal states of Lagos, Delta, Rivers, Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa States during the morning hours, “ it said. The agency envisaged thunderstorms over parts of Enugu, Edo, Ebonyi, Ondo, Abia, Osun, Imo, Ekiti, Delta, Bayelsa, Cross River, Rivers and Lagos states later in the day. NiMet anticipated isolated thunderstorms over parts of Taraba, Kaduna, Katsina, Kano, Sokoto and Zamfara states during the morning hours on Tuesday. According to it, thunderstorms are expected over parts of Borno, Yobe, Jigawa, Bauchi, Taraba, Gombe and Adamawa states later in the day. “Thunderstorms are envisaged over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, Benue and Nasarawa States within the morning hours. “Later in the day thunderstorms are expected over the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, Nasarawa, Benue, Plateau and Kwara states. “Morning rains are envisaged over parts of Enugu, Ebonyi, Abia, Imo, Lagos, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Cross river and Rivers States while the remaining parts of the South should be cloudy,” it said. It anticipated thunderstorms over parts of Oyo, Ekiti, Ogun, Ondo, Imo, Edo, Delta, Lagos, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Cross river and Rivers States later in the day. The agency predicted morning thunderstorms over parts of Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa, Borno, Zamfara, Sokoto and Kebbi states on Wednesday. According to it, isolated thunderstorms are expected over parts of Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe, Taraba, Kaduna, Kano and Katsina states. NiMet forecasts thunderstorms over parts of Niger and Kwara States while the remaining States in the North Central should be cloudy during the morning hours. “ Later in the day, thunderstorms are expected over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Plateau, Nasarawa and Benue States. Rains are expected over parts of Cross River. Rivers and Akwa Ibom States during the morning hours with cloudy skies to the rest of the states in the South. “Later in the day, thunderstorms are expected over most parts of Imo, Abia, Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Bayelsa, Edo and Delta States,,“ it said. NiMet urged residents to avoid flood-prone areas as there is a high likelihood of urban flooding in major cities due to heavy downpours. According to it, strong winds may precede the rains in areas where thunderstorms are likely to occur, so the public should take adequate precaution. “Adhere to safety advisories issued by relevant authorities. Public and Airline operators are advised to get updated weather reports and forecasts from NiMet for effective planning in their operations. “Residents are advised to stay informed through weather updates from NiMet. Visit our website, www.nimet.gov.ng.”

Heavy Rainfall Causes Widespread Flooding in Ibeju-Lekki 

Residential areas and major roads in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, have been inundated by floods following several hours of heavy rainfall in recent days. The downpour, which persisted for many hours on Wednesday, resulted in significant flooding in residential areas across Ibeju-Lekki and surrounding locations such as Epe, Eredo, Bogije, Labora, Abijon, Sangotedo, Awoyaya, and others. Residents attributed the flooding to the blockage of waterways caused by indiscriminate dumping of waste in the localities. Rasheed Ayobami, a resident of Labora, Ibeju-Lekki, described how his house was submerged due to the absence of a functional drainage system at his new residence. “The water flowed into my compound and completely submerged my house. We live in an area without proper drainage, forcing water into our homes and leaving us homeless,” he lamented. Seyi Arowosaye voiced concerns over perennial flooding on the Ibeju-Lekki Expressway, attributing it to blocked drains in the area. “We urge the Ibeju-Lekki local government to clear the drains and implore residents to stop dumping waste in the drainage system to prevent future flooding,” Arowosaye urged. He also called on the Lagos State government to expedite road repairs in Sangotedo. Bola Fadugba highlighted the impact of the flooding in Labora, emphasizing the urgent need for a lasting solution to the recurring flood challenges in the area. “Floods have made my house inhabitable during the rainy season. Many parts of the metropolis are affected. The government must find a lasting solution to this perennial problem,” Fadugba insisted. The flooding also affected key roads such as Abraham Adesanya, Awoyaya, Sangotedo, and Majek, exacerbated by ongoing road rehabilitation works in the locality.

Flooding: Don’t dump wastes in drainages, Gombe SEMA warns residents

 The Gombe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has appealed to residents of the state to heed all precautionary measures on flooding as a way of mitigating its impact in their communities. The Director, Relief and Rehabilitation, Gombe SEMA, Mr. Mohammed Garba, made the appeal in Gombe on Monday. Garba said the agency has been sensitizing the people and providing the necessary information needed to mitigate disasters associated with flooding. He said that part of what the agency expected from residents was to stop dumping wastes in drainages and waterways, “a major factor contributing to flooding, especially when drainages are blocked and the huge volume of water create different routes for itself”. The director said that the recent flooding experienced on May 14, in Bajoga in Funakaye Local Government Areas, was partly a result of wastes dumped in drainages. He explained that SEMA’s analysis of the flooding in Bajoga showed that the damage was severe as both residents and houses were affected. “There is a location where we have a big gully developing as a result of the volume of water, and this happened because residents dump their wastes inside the drainages in that area. “As a result of that flooding in Bajoga, more than 40 houses were affected and no fewer than 21 persons were injured. “This is why we are appealing to residents to cooperate with us and stop dumping wastes in drainages or building on waterways. “Through community efforts, drainages blocked should be cleared so that rainwater can flow freely in the channels provided for such purposes,” he said. On the flood outlook for Gombe State, the director said that unlike in 2022 when one LGA was predicted to experience flooding, in 2023, Balanga, Nafada, and Yamaltu/Deba LGAs were among the 178 LGAs in 32 states “highly probable to flooding”. “The stake is a bit higher than that of the previous year and that is why we are engaging critical stakeholders to continue with the sensitization and engagement to mitigate flood impact in the state.” The director said that the massive sensitization campaign was ordered by Governor Inuwa Yahaya after an analysis of the flood outlook. Garba said that based on the directive, sensitization had been intensified across the three LGAs, while efforts were on to cover other areas across the state. He added that the message of the sensitization had always been on the need for people to desist from building on waterways and dumping wastes in drainages. “No one can stop flooding entirely but we can all mitigate its impact,” he said. 

We’ll demolish buildings on waterways, flood corridors – FCDA

*Marks Police Station in Trademore for demolition The Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Malam Shehu Ahmed, has said the FCT Administration would demolish all structures on waterways across the nation’s capital. Ahmed made this known in a statement on Sunday in Abuja. He said some structures were preventing water from flowing freely through its natural course which was responsible for flooding recorded in some parts of the city. ”People are clamoring that we act quickly and take tough decisions to save lives. And this is what we must do. We cannot act as though we don’t see this man-made problem caused by those who violate the Abuja Master Plan.” ”Buildings in Trademore Estate had been severally marked for demolition. Warnings have been given year after year but the occupants of the estate keep risking their lives and those of others. ”By declaring Trademore a disaster zone, we have told the residents there to evacuate. The area is a low-line zone which is not safe and flooding can come at any time. They know this and have been experiencing it over the years,” he said. The Executive Secretary, who is the Chairman, Special Ministerial Task Team on Flood Mitigation, revealed that a Police station in Trademore would be demolished and other buildings. ”The Police station in Trademore would be demolished. It will go alongside other buildings. We have engaged the FCT Police command and have provided a suitable place for them to operate from and fight crime.” Ahmed pointed out that Trademore Estate did not have the FCDA-approved building plan and the continuous flooded areas can best be left as green areas and not residential. He explained that the estate was just one of the areas in focus as other areas where structures were built on floodplains would experience demolitions.