LUNACY OF LAGOS: Open the floodgates
It is goes without saying (but, I’d still say) that the rains have begun and they are pouring in torrents. Over the past month, we have experienced lasting downpours that sometimes stretch on for days with little breaks between. These recent peaks in rainfall have once again resulted in floods in some parts of Lagos.
I’m a fan of the rainy season. Aside the few inconveniences, I find it pleasurable for most parts (especially when it doesn’t end with me getting drenched). Now, the rains have been gracing the earth more regularly, inadvertently turning to floods. I find the flooding to be a recurrent event in the Lagos cityscape. Rains ought to bring calm and some clemency but, these come with a handful of inconveniences for most residents of Lagos.
Read also: Rains and me
The recent rains in Lagos have seen homes transform to baths as seen in ancient Rome. They have seen roads become extensions of the ocean that borders the mega-city. Vehicles are now amphibious and if you aren’t careful, you just might be swept away. Let’s not even factor in the lightning strikes and possibilities of electrocution. I appreciate the rains cos they come with a great deal of benefits, even some we don’t readily think of. But, when we live in Lagos, we find ourselves wishing the rains away.
Funny as it might seem, the rains aren’t the sole cause of floods down here but, the lack of proper channels for rain water. Lagos being a mega-city sees its residents producing more waste than we presently have the capacity to manage. Some of these waste end up in the drains, clogging what ought to serve as channels for rains. If the problem is rather obvious, I can’t help but wonder why we opt for quick fixes year-in-year-out.
On a lighter note, I'm here with a couple tips on surviving a typical rainy day in Lagos.
How to survive a typical rainy day in Lagos
Don’t wear white or bright colours: knowing Lagos roads and drivers, the chances of ending days with colors as bright as they were at the start are pretty slim. Recent rains have shown this isn’t the plight of pedestrians only. Vehicle owners and users still need to take precaution when moving through amphibious Lagos.
Prep your mind: rains in Lagos tend to blindside us— leaving some element of shock. Going to a new place on rainy day? Or an area you haven’t been to in a while? Be sure your feet (footwear) are ready for combat, to withstand any form of battery by the rains. Get ready to dip your feet in water and squish your way around Lagos.
Bulk up: no jokes. Rains at times come with winds strong enough to take you free of charge to your destination—or not. Aside the winds, the sweeping motion of the floods can find you moving in spite of yourself. So, bulk up or sharpen your reflexes to grab on to anything sturdy in case you are being swept away. Just don’t hang on to an electric pole.
Learn to swim: take the floods as a head-start besides, homes are morphing quickly to pools and baths. Who knows, you might be the next Phelpsy or uhm. . . Aquaman!
Don’t go out (if possible): what better way to enjoy a rainy day than listening to the repetitious beat on you roof tops? If your activities can outwait the rains, don’t risk getting washed offshore.
Stay protected: I don’t like umbrellas cos they tend to be a tad flimsy while offering inadequate coverage. Not to talk of the chances of forgetting them when the rain subsides. If umbrellas work for you on rainy days, totally go for them. Water resistant coats, shoes and even bags (for your gadgets) are good investments for rainy days too.
After all said and done, we can’t hold the rains from blessing the earth but, we can stall the after effects by doing the required long before the rains come. Clearing out drains, disposing waste properly and in areas with no drainage at all, it’s obvious what needs to be done. These are sure to have some effect on the aftermath of rains.
How do you live through the rains in Lagos? What is your best part of the season? I would certainly love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
‘Mina
I’m a fan of the rainy season. Aside the few inconveniences, I find it pleasurable for most parts (especially when it doesn’t end with me getting drenched). Now, the rains have been gracing the earth more regularly, inadvertently turning to floods. I find the flooding to be a recurrent event in the Lagos cityscape. Rains ought to bring calm and some clemency but, these come with a handful of inconveniences for most residents of Lagos.
Read also: Rains and me
The recent rains in Lagos have seen homes transform to baths as seen in ancient Rome. They have seen roads become extensions of the ocean that borders the mega-city. Vehicles are now amphibious and if you aren’t careful, you just might be swept away. Let’s not even factor in the lightning strikes and possibilities of electrocution. I appreciate the rains cos they come with a great deal of benefits, even some we don’t readily think of. But, when we live in Lagos, we find ourselves wishing the rains away.
Funny as it might seem, the rains aren’t the sole cause of floods down here but, the lack of proper channels for rain water. Lagos being a mega-city sees its residents producing more waste than we presently have the capacity to manage. Some of these waste end up in the drains, clogging what ought to serve as channels for rains. If the problem is rather obvious, I can’t help but wonder why we opt for quick fixes year-in-year-out.
On a lighter note, I'm here with a couple tips on surviving a typical rainy day in Lagos.
How to survive a typical rainy day in Lagos
Don’t wear white or bright colours: knowing Lagos roads and drivers, the chances of ending days with colors as bright as they were at the start are pretty slim. Recent rains have shown this isn’t the plight of pedestrians only. Vehicle owners and users still need to take precaution when moving through amphibious Lagos.
Prep your mind: rains in Lagos tend to blindside us— leaving some element of shock. Going to a new place on rainy day? Or an area you haven’t been to in a while? Be sure your feet (footwear) are ready for combat, to withstand any form of battery by the rains. Get ready to dip your feet in water and squish your way around Lagos.
Bulk up: no jokes. Rains at times come with winds strong enough to take you free of charge to your destination—or not. Aside the winds, the sweeping motion of the floods can find you moving in spite of yourself. So, bulk up or sharpen your reflexes to grab on to anything sturdy in case you are being swept away. Just don’t hang on to an electric pole.
Learn to swim: take the floods as a head-start besides, homes are morphing quickly to pools and baths. Who knows, you might be the next Phelpsy or uhm. . . Aquaman!
Don’t go out (if possible): what better way to enjoy a rainy day than listening to the repetitious beat on you roof tops? If your activities can outwait the rains, don’t risk getting washed offshore.
Stay protected: I don’t like umbrellas cos they tend to be a tad flimsy while offering inadequate coverage. Not to talk of the chances of forgetting them when the rain subsides. If umbrellas work for you on rainy days, totally go for them. Water resistant coats, shoes and even bags (for your gadgets) are good investments for rainy days too.
After all said and done, we can’t hold the rains from blessing the earth but, we can stall the after effects by doing the required long before the rains come. Clearing out drains, disposing waste properly and in areas with no drainage at all, it’s obvious what needs to be done. These are sure to have some effect on the aftermath of rains.
How do you live through the rains in Lagos? What is your best part of the season? I would certainly love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
‘Mina
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