Lagos deluge: Flood alert is not a prophecy of doom

Residents of Lagos State are advised to heed the flood alert issued by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), viewing it not as a prophecy of doom but as a crucial call for preparation. Following a severe flooding season recently, there's a tendency for residents to become desensitized, making them vulnerable to future threats. NiMet's advisory indicates that 27 states, including Lagos, face an elevated risk of flash flooding in the initial weeks of July.

Persistent rainfall has saturated the soil, diminishing its capacity to absorb more water. NiMet warns that such conditions could disrupt transportation, damage infrastructure, destroy farms, and interrupt essential services like electricity and telecommunications, while also increasing the risk of waterborne diseases. For Lagos, a megacity already prone to crippling disruptions from heavy rainfall, these warnings underscore the severity of potential impacts on its economy, businesses, homes, and public health.

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According to NiMet’s advisory, 27 states, including Lagos, face a heightened risk of flash flooding during the first weeks of July because persistent rainfall has saturated the soil, leaving it unable to absorb much more water.

The article stresses that flood forecasts are valuable tools for disaster risk reduction, offering an opportunity to mitigate losses rather than merely reacting after disaster strikes. It argues that Nigeria cannot afford to treat every rainy season as an unforeseen emergency, as disaster risk reduction is significantly less costly than disaster recovery. While acknowledging the recent flooding's impact, including damaged infrastructure and heightened health concerns, the piece questions what measures are being taken differently this season, especially in light of ongoing major infrastructure projects like the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, which some residents have questioned regarding its potential impact on local flooding.

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Nevertheless, a flood forecast is not a sentence of inevitable disaster. Early warning systems exist so that governments, institutions, and citizens can prepare before disaster strikes. The value of NiMet’s warning lies not merely in predicting danger but in creating an opportunity to reduce losses.