NIMET allays fears of heavy rains in Lagos

The Director, Weather Forecasting Service, Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET), Ifeanyi Nnodu, has allayed fears of flooding in the Lagos area following an early morning torrential rainfall on Friday.

Nnodu told the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos on Friday that the heavy downpour was normal and safe, according to the prediction made early in the year.

“The rain is a normal pattern; we started with the rain and had a short break during July and August.

“The rains are about to ease and towards the end of the rainy season, we have high intensity rainfall. There is nothing to worry about.

“Our prediction for Lagos says the situation of the rain around Ikeja will end by December 17, plus or minus three days.

“So we will still have rain for a while and by early December, it should cease,” he said.

Nnodu said the rain would continue with the high intensity associated with strong winds, which would then go down gradually.

According to him, the rainfall would not cause severe flooding, like the case of 2012, adding that only flash floods would be experienced.

“We have gone past the critical stage of rain which can cause massive flooding, which can lead to destruction. We will only see flash floods, which will easily be gone within 12 hours,'' Nnodu added.