Lagos Commissioner for the Environment, Tunji Bello disclosed this on Tuesday at a news conference on the 2015 Seasonal Rainfall Prediction held in Alausa, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria.

According to Bello, it has been predicted that Lagos State shall experience a rainy season of between 245 and 260 days, with the maximum annual rainfall predicted to be around 1,824mm, explaining that this maximum rainfall would be experienced within and around Marina area of Lagos Island.

He added that in general, this year’s rainfall has been predicted to have a delay onset of about 2-13 days, with Lagos, Ondo, Ogun and some other states expected to have more pronounced delay onset by 8-13 days.

“An early cessation of rainfall is predicted for most part of the country. However, Abeokuta, Ibadan, Ondo, Akue, among others are predicted to have later than normal cessation as they would experience more growing season.

“In Lagos, onset dates range between 26 March and 2 April, while the season ending is predicted to range between 3 and 11 December, 2015. NIMET’s day and night temperature derivations in the month of March shows that the northern part of the country is expected to be colder during the day while the south will be warmer,” he said.

The commissioner noted that it was equally predicted that the southern states would be warmer than normal at night, saying, however, that Lagos Island and its immediate environs would be colder than normal.

“Warmer than normal day and night temperature are predicted for most part of the country in the month of April. The little dry season is predicted to occur between 15 July and 31 August, 2015 in most part of the country. However, in comparison to August 2014, this year is expected and predicted to be drier,” he added.

Bello explained that among the new ways of improving the content of this year’s Seasonal Rainfall Prediction, SRP, was the malaria forecast, which predicted warmer than normal and high humidity at different times across the country.

He said this high temperature and humidity were favourable conditions for the growth of pest, vectors and spreading of diseases, saying that the higher the temperature and humidity, the more rapid the life cycles of mosquitoes and frequencies in mosquitoes bites, urging the public to be well prepared.

“Lagos State is expected to be moderately affected by mosquitoes, nevertheless, it is of utmost importance that Lagosians keep their environment clean to minimise the effects of mosquitoes,” he advised.

He warned Lagosians against indiscriminate dumping of refuse in unauthorised places and ensured daily cleaning and evacuation of silted drains around homes and premises, urging Lagosians to report cases of drainage blockages, dumping of refuse into canals and other unauthorised places to the government for prompt action.