newsheadlines:
Lagos state has witnessed rapid urbanization and a surge in real estate development, accompanied by a growing trend towards paving compound spaces with impermeable materials such as concrete, tiles, and asphalt. While this trend aligns with desires for modernity and ease of maintenance, it also has significant implications for water resources, especially flood in Lagos state, a city that already has a flat topography and many areas at or below sea level.

Aside from the effect of climate change, which is a leading discussion globally, there is need to examine some other causes of localized environmental challenges. Most of the built-up areas in the state are by nature, green vegetation. This vegetation helps in reducing flooding from rainfall through several mechanisms that include interception, absorption, retention and delay of surface runoff, and reducing flood peaks downstream.

Now that the whole vegetation covers that ensures the stability of the water cycle system is gone, and replaced with structures that prevent seamless percolation of rainwater through the soil layers, experiencing flooding in the city should not come as a surprise.

The shift from natural ground cover to concrete or asphalt surfaces and rooftops prevent rainwater from infiltrating into the soil. Instead of being absorbed, rainwater runs off these surfaces quickly, often into nearby drainage systems or canals. In Lagos, where drainage infrastructure is often inadequate or poorly maintained, this increased surface runoff contributing significantly to urban flooding during periods of heavy rainfall.

Not only that, the surfacing of house compounds with impermeable materials reduces the amount of water that can naturally recharge groundwater reservoirs, which a larger percentage of the citizen rely on for their water supply. Traditionally, rainwater would percolate through the soil, replenishing aquifers and maintaining a balance in the local water table. However, with more surfaces sealed off from absorption, less water infiltrates into the ground, which soon could lead to the issues of water scarcity.

The impact of these changes is particularly acute in low-lying areas and neighborhoods situated near natural water bodies or drainage channels. During the rainy season, the rapid runoff from impervious surfaces overwhelms existing drainage systems, leading to localized flooding that disrupts daily life, damages property, and poses risks to public health and safety.

Mitigation

Addressing the issue of flood in Lagos state exuberated by paved flooring and other impervious surfaces requires several approaches. Urban planning and development regulations can play a crucial role in promoting sustainable building practices that prioritize permeable materials for driveways, walkways, and other ground surfaces. Techniques such as permeable paving, green roofs, and rainwater harvesting systems, and retention ponds can also help mitigate the adverse effects of surface runoff by allowing for greater infiltration and storage of rainwater that will reduce flooding and improve groundwater recharge.

While the government has its own role, we as citizens, beyond our complaints and call to government officials, should not jettison our own through our action and inactions. We should endeavor to check some of the consequences of our desires in building houses and commit ourselves towards steps that will mitigate our suffering, especially as it regards flooding and avert environmental disaster.

Temitope Oluwabiyi, a Water Resources Manager and IT personnel writes from Lagos


https://www.newsheadlines.com.ng/latest-nigeria-news-today/2024/07/03/paved-compound-flooring-and-flood-in-lagos-state/

newsheadlines:
Lagos state has witnessed rapid urbanization and a surge in real estate development, accompanied by a growing trend towards paving compound spaces with impermeable materials such as concrete, tiles, and asphalt. While this trend aligns with desires for modernity and ease of maintenance, it also has significant implications for water resources, especially flood in Lagos state, a city that already has a flat topography and many areas at or below sea level.

Aside from the effect of climate change, which is a leading discussion globally, there is need to examine some other causes of localized environmental challenges. Most of the built-up areas in the state are by nature, green vegetation. This vegetation helps in reducing flooding from rainfall through several mechanisms that include interception, absorption, retention and delay of surface runoff, and reducing flood peaks downstream.

Now that the whole vegetation covers that ensures the stability of the water cycle system is gone, and replaced with structures that prevent seamless percolation of rainwater through the soil layers, experiencing flooding in the city should not come as a surprise.

The shift from natural ground cover to concrete or asphalt surfaces and rooftops prevent rainwater from infiltrating into the soil. Instead of being absorbed, rainwater runs off these surfaces quickly, often into nearby drainage systems or canals. In Lagos, where drainage infrastructure is often inadequate or poorly maintained, this increased surface runoff contributing significantly to urban flooding during periods of heavy rainfall.

Not only that, the surfacing of house compounds with impermeable materials reduces the amount of water that can naturally recharge groundwater reservoirs, which a larger percentage of the citizen rely on for their water supply. Traditionally, rainwater would percolate through the soil, replenishing aquifers and maintaining a balance in the local water table. However, with more surfaces sealed off from absorption, less water infiltrates into the ground, which soon could lead to the issues of water scarcity.

The impact of these changes is particularly acute in low-lying areas and neighborhoods situated near natural water bodies or drainage channels. During the rainy season, the rapid runoff from impervious surfaces overwhelms existing drainage systems, leading to localized flooding that disrupts daily life, damages property, and poses risks to public health and safety.

Mitigation

Addressing the issue of flood in Lagos state exuberated by paved flooring and other impervious surfaces requires several approaches. Urban planning and development regulations can play a crucial role in promoting sustainable building practices that prioritize permeable materials for driveways, walkways, and other ground surfaces. Techniques such as permeable paving, green roofs, and rainwater harvesting systems, and retention ponds can also help mitigate the adverse effects of surface runoff by allowing for greater infiltration and storage of rainwater that will reduce flooding and improve groundwater recharge.

While the government has its own role, we as citizens, beyond our complaints and call to government officials, should not jettison our own through our action and inactions. We should endeavor to check some of the consequences of our desires in building houses and commit ourselves towards steps that will mitigate our suffering, especially as it regards flooding and avert environmental disaster.

Temitope Oluwabiyi, a Water Resources Manager and IT personnel writes from Lagos


https://www.newsheadlines.com.ng/latest-nigeria-news-today/2024/07/03/paved-compound-flooring-and-flood-in-lagos-state/

mrvitalis:

Lagos has less than 50% of its area developed( google Earth is your friend)

So how about other cities of three world? . ..

Nigerians would always talk like our problems are unique or no country has faced it

Go to cities with similar geography, copy what they did and modernize it to match u and implement

Was this not what Peter Obi kept saying?

vanitybutiwanti:
How many of those things did he do in Anambra? You always write like you take crack, to you everybody is wrong except obi

AyodeleBamidele:
Do you want to be drowned in flood? Hurry up ok.

mrvitalis:

Lagos has less than 50% of its area developed( google Earth is your friend)

So how about other cities of three world? . ..

Nigerians would always talk like our problems are unique or no country has faced it

Go to cities with similar geography, copy what they did and modernize it to match u and implement

Was this not what Peter Obi kept saying?

mrvitalis:

He did it in education and health those are the ones I know

Why does the statement obi said itch u and yet you support Tinubu

vanitybutiwanti:
He did nothing, Anambra is still a shiithole just like other states in Nigeria, how many people move to Anambra for economic opportunities? Keep deceiving yourselves with your ethnic agendas, we know better.

mrvitalis:

U say?

vanitybutiwanti:
so? Does that make Anambra to be in the league of developed states in America and Europe? How many people from other parts of Nigeria migrate to Anambra for economic opportunities? Do you know the number of schools Fashola,Ameachi, wike and a host of other governors rehabilitated? What's so special about using government money to build substandard schools?

You said obi talked about replicating what was done in developed climes, can you provide pictorial evidence of the schools rehabilitated by obi, let's compare with schools in developed climes

vanitybutiwanti:
so? Does that make Anambra to be in the league of developed states in America and Europe? How many people from other parts of Nigeria migrate to Anambra for economic opportunities? Do you know the number of schools Fashola,Ameachi, wike and a host of other governors rehabilitated? What's so special about using government money to build substandard schools?

You said obi talked about replicating what was done in developed climes, can you provide pictorial evidence of the schools rehabilitated by obi, let's compare with schools in developed climes

vanitybutiwanti:
so? Does that make Anambra to be in the league of developed states in America and Europe? How many people from other parts of Nigeria migrate to Anambra for economic opportunities? Do you know the number of schools Fashola,Ameachi, wike and a host of other governors rehabilitated? What's so special about using government money to build substandard schools?

You said obi talked about replicating what was done in developed climes, can you provide pictorial evidence of the schools rehabilitated by obi, let's compare with schools in developed climes

VaselineCrew:


So na this Lagos come be like YOU ROPE ba

The one with smelly poo visible for everyone to see

VaselineCrew:


Oh boy, wake up and smell the gutter

I'm sure tomorrow when you wake up, you will also inhale that fresh gutter outside your house too

vanitybutiwanti:
mumu, it's obvious some screws are missing in your brain, you get triggered when obi or Anambra is mentioned, Lagos is a shiithole as much as Anambra get that into your skull

vanitybutiwanti:
so? Does that make Anambra to be in the league of developed states in America and Europe? How many people from other parts of Nigeria migrate to Anambra for economic opportunities? Do you know the number of schools Fashola,Ameachi, wike and a host of other governors rehabilitated? What's so special about using government money to build substandard schools?

You said obi talked about replicating what was done in developed climes, can you provide pictorial evidence of the schools rehabilitated by obi, let's compare with schools in developed climes

VaselineCrew:



Show us hana bra

show us hana bra

Empty Dunce, like Eggless Buns

mrvitalis:

Development to American standard doesn't happen overnight... But one can see when you are moving in the right direction

Don't really get your anger and obsession because I quoted obi

vanitybutiwanti:
Which direction is Anambra moving in today? Why did soludo and Obiano complain about the state of Anambra after the messiah left? It's been over 9 years since the messiah left office, is the state he governed not supposed to be reaping the benefits of his stellar performance in terms of Job creation, foreign investments and other indices? Why do people from that part of the country migrate in large numbers to other shiithole states since the messiah laid the foundation for a Los Angeles and New York in Anambra?

mrvitalis:

Anambra is the 5ft largest economy in Nigeria bigger than Ogun, bigger than Oyo, bigger than Kaduna, and Kano all of which have massive federal presence

Onitsha according to CIA is the highest built up area in nigeria after Lagos billed to overtake Lagos by 2030

Anambra has the best health and education section in Nigeria today

So what exactly is your point

vanitybutiwanti:
All on Paper, I ask again how many people from other parts of Nigeria move to Anambra fir economic opportunities? Are people in Anambra better than persons living in other parts of Nigeria? Anambra has all these yet soludo is struggling to generate 2b monthly? Especially when Niger state and Bayelsa are doing over 2b monthly easily now?

mrvitalis:

Lagos has less than 50% of its area developed( google Earth is your friend)

So how about other cities of three world? . ..

Nigerians would always talk like our problems are unique or no country has faced it

Go to cities with similar geography, copy what they did and modernize it to match u and implement

Was this not what Peter Obi kept saying?

vanitybutiwanti:
Which direction is Anambra moving in today? Why did soludo and Obiano complain about the state of Anambra after the messiah left? It's been over 9 years since the messiah left office, is the state he governed not supposed to be reaping the benefits of his stellar performance in terms of Job creation, foreign investments and other indices? Why do people from that part of the country migrate in large numbers to other shiithole states since the messiah laid the foundation for a Los Angeles and New York in Anambra?