Tokunbo Wahab, Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Lagos State, says the state is expected to experience abnormal rainfall in 2024 with a total of 1936.2 mm predicted rainfall.
Wahab said this at a news conference on 2024 Seasonal Climate Predictions (SCP) and socio-economic implications for Lagos State on Tuesday.
Wahab said the average annual rainfall predicted for 2024 was 1936.2 mm, which was greater than the long-term average of 1721.48 mm with the onset date expected to be the first week of April and ceasing in the first week of December.
According to him, Ikeja is expected to have an onset date of April 4 and a cessation date of December 4 with a high annual amount of 1900 mm rainfall.
He said Badagry would have a rainfall onset date of April 1 and a cessation date of December 5 resulting in an annual amount of 1978 mm.
He added that Ikorodu was expected to have a rainfall onset date of April 4 and a cessation date of December 4, totaling an annual amount of 1903 mm.
He said Lagos Island would have a rainfall onset date of April 3, a cessation date of December 4, and an annual amount of 1936 mm.
Epe is expected to have a rainfall onset date of April 2, a cessation date of December 5, and an annual amount of 1952 mm.
According to him, below-normal rainfall is anticipated in the first half of the rainy season. In contrast, normal to above-normal rainfall is expected in the second half of the rainy season.
He added that the low-lying Agiliti, Agboyi, Itowolo, and Ajegunle communities would be closely monitored for the likelihood of Ogun River flooding as well as all other river basins in the state.
The Commissioner explained that it was expected that the high amounts of rainfall and other contributory factors might lead to flooding in some parts of the state and that this might lead to a rise in the lagoon level.
