263 Days Of Heavy Rainfall Expected In Lagos

Lagos State government, yesterday, declared that the state is expecting 263 days of rainfall this year and this may be accompanied with strong winds, lightning and thunderstorms.

It added that rainstorms would be common over the coastal cities areas with occasional flash flood and ocean surges that would greatly affect persons living along the flood plains but the magnitude of devastation shall depend on the activities of the people.

It would be recalled that the state government last year, announced  rainfall of between 249 and 275 days with intermittent stoppages.

The state Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello, stated this at the presentation of year 2014 annual seasonal rainfall prediction and socio- economic implication for the state as earlier predicted by Nigerian  Meteorological Agency, NIMET, held at Ministry’s office, Alausa, Ikeja.

“The Seasonal Rainfall Prediction, SRP, rainfall onset date for this year began in the first week of March in the southernmost part of the country and late June in the far northern parts. However, rainfall onset in Lagos Stare has since commenced from 14 March, 2014 in Ikeja, with a three days marginal error was given.

“The strong winds, lighting and thunderstorms which are regular phenomena during the onset and cessation of rainfall was also predicted to occur in stronger magnitude during this year’s raining period,” he stated.