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THE EFFECT OF HEAVY RAIN FALLS ON FARM LANDS IN NIGERIA. A CASE OF ITU LOCAL GOVERNMENT

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1      Background of the study

According to Ugbodaga, (2015) the government of Lagos State has warned state residents to prepare for heavy rains and advised residents of flood zones to be ready to move immediately they notice a gradual accumulation of the rising waters. The government said residents should be vigilant and prepare for the consequences of floods resulting from heavy rains in late; it would be in other parts of the country. Ugbodaga also said that the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, reiterated this warning became necessary for the sensitivity of the population to ensure the free flow of rain water into the drain that it is imperative so as to avert consequence of the report of the Nigerian Metrological Agency (NIMET) which predicted heavy rainfall for Lagos State, among others.
Similarly Onisarotu, (2015) stressed that the rainy season was not over, has appealed to Lagosians to clean and clear the drains in front and around them regularly. “People should not panic whenever it rains, as they would start to experience accumulated water concentration on some parts of the roads and highways, depending on the intensity of the rains. We assure you that the accumulated water will recede in no time,” Onisarotu concluded.
Ugbodaga, (2015) also stressed that whatever flash floods recorded during the rains,would gradually be discharge in no time because of the effectiveness of our drainage channels. And also said advice that, residents residing along flood plains, low line areas and other coast lines like Ajegunle, Owode-Onirin axis, Owode-Elelede,Kuramo beach, Alpha beach, Okun -mapo,OkunAjah,Ijora-Badia,Iwaya and other low line areas should be extremely careful and may need to vacate their residence temporarily once they noticed gradual accumulation of rising water and move to higher grounds as the state is not ready to lose any life during the rainy period (Ugbodaga, 2015). However, Onisarotu, (2015) implored Lagosians to be safety conscious during this period, adding that these precautionary measures ‎should be taken by avoiding going out during the rains except only when it is compulsory. In the same spirit advice that Lagosians need to be conscious when driving, do not over speed and ensure that your vehicles are in good condition. Do not drive through flooded areas as it might be difficult to identify its depth. Plan your journey before going out and avoid unnecessary outings. The put it cleared that the State Government will continue to intensify its cleaning and maintenance programme and will not relent until the zero tolerance targets to flooding are attained.We appeal to the people of the state to join hands with the government in making the state flood-free as the administration is making frantic efforts to minimize flooding,” Onisarotu concluded.
However, in the past four decades, economic losses due to natural hazards such as, floods disasters have increased in many folds and have also resulted in major loss of human lives and livelihoods, the destruction of economic and social infrastructure, as well as environmental damages (Munich, 2012). Flood could be seen as one of the most common natural disasters in the world. Floods, one of natural hazards result from the potential for extreme geographical events, to create an unexpected threat to human life and property (Smith, 2011). When severe floods occur in areas occupied by humans, they can create natural disasters which involve the loss of human life and property plus serious disruption to the ongoing activities of large urban and rural communities (Smith and Ward, 2010).