By Babatunde Ayedoju 

Madam Abolanle (not her real name), a widow from Akure, could not hide her emotion as she recounted her ordeal when a rainstorm removed the roof of her house, an incomplete building, a few years ago. According to her, when the rain started, there was no sign that what began like a slight rainfall would render her homeless.

She said, “I didn’t know where to start from because I had no money to even think of rebuilding my house. I had to pick a few of my belongings that I could retrieve and move to the house of a neighbour where I squatted.”

The experience of the woman cited above is not far from what has been happening to some people around who fall victim to rainstorms. It begins like the usual rainfall, then comes the strong wind and sometimes lightning, before everything goes south and people begin to count their losses.

For instance, a few days ago in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State capital, there was a rainstorm that destroyed residential buildings, commercial structures, public institutions, and electrical facilities such as poles and telecommunication masts. According to media reports,  at least 1,000 people were rendered homeless, with over 100 houses affected by the rainstorm.

A victim of the disaster recounted how he lost six rooms and two boys’ quarters to the incident, while another victim, an octogenarian, said that the storm left his eight-room apartment without a roof. Some others who spoke with the press stated that the storm affected their apartments with as many as 10 or 12 rooms in some cases.

Incidents like that are not unusual. Last month, there was a rainstorm following a heavy downpour that reportedly affected over 10 houses around Surulere and Yaba in Ondo, Ondo State.

The month of March witnessed a similar occurrence in Ilupeju, Ekiti State, which was said to have affected hundreds of buildings. Other communities like Oye, Ayede, Ipoti, Odo-Owa, Igbemo, Iyin, Ifaki, and Ilawe had also had their fair share of similar occurrences.

Earlier in that month, a couple of houses, shops, and electric poles in Ilesa, Osun State, bowed to the power of a rainstorm that accompanied a heavy rainfall and left many homeless. Other places affected by the storm included Egbedore South, Aje Market, Eesa Tuntun Community, Ejemu Compound, and Ajetunmobi Road in Ido-Osun, where some electric poles fell, and the roofing sheets of houses and shops were also damaged.

Likewise, in Akure, the Ondo State capital, properties worth millions of naira were said to have been destroyed across homes, schools, churches, and even a police station in a storm that did not spare even the solar-powered streetlights recently installed by the state government. This particular incident covered places like Oke Ogba, Fanibi, Lafe, Awule Road, and Agagu Road. 

Recall that the Akure airport also suffered from a storm with wind speed recorded at approximately 65 knots, which led to severe destruction of several airport facilities such as the terminal building and control tower, an incident that grounded operations in the airport for a while.

Professor Emmanuel Okogbue, a meteorologist, explained that rainstorms can come with floods, lightning, thunder, and even electric shock, leading to death and loss of property. While explaining that a rainstorm can pull down trees and electric poles, Okogbue clarified that when an electric pole falls into water, anybody who steps into the water can easily die of electric shock. This, he said, is because water is a conductor of electricity.

His words: “For instance, if it’s raining a lot, you want to hide under a tree. You must be careful because the rainstorm can pull down branches of the tree, or in some cases, the tree itself, and then it falls on people. Likewise, when an electric pole falls into water, anybody who steps into the water can be killed because water is a conductor of electricity. That is why, in a case like that, the electricity distribution company turns off the power supply. They do it for the safety of the people, based on experience.”

Talking about how loss of lives and property can be averted during a rainstorm, the professor of meteorology said that such disasters cannot be averted; they can only be minimised. However, he noted that some safety measures could be adopted.

He said, “I have said it several times that people should not hold metal objects when it is raining and there is a storm; don’t stay under trees; and be careful with passing through water.”

While advising motorists whose vehicles do not have good wipers to avoid driving in the rain, Okogbue warned against parking close to a tree because the tree can fall on the vehicle as a result of the severe rainstorm.

Dr Samuel Sedara, a physicist, also explained that a rainstorm is an atmospheric condition that comes with thunder, lightning, and strong winds that are capable of causing havoc for both the human population and infrastructure, alongside a disruption of transportation and other vital human activities.

He advised that, as much as possible, people should stay informed by monitoring and obeying weather reports and weather forecasts 

He added, “National Emergency Management Agency and sister organisations should always stay prepared for emergencies and make sure they have their emergency kits on standby. Individuals should also have their first aid kits with them in case of any emergency. Likewise, people should always clear drains in their neighbourhoods to allow the free flow of water.

“Above all, always avoid flooded areas and stay indoors when you are caught up in a rainfall. Also, keep your mobile phone line open at all times, in case you need to make an emergency phone call.”

Sedara also advocated for an expansion of drainage and flood-resistant construction, while making sure that damaged electric poles are promptly fixed.

Elijah Adejimi, an environmental sustainability advocate, blamed rainstorm disasters on poor urban planning, which can be seen in inadequate drainage systems, construction in flood-prone areas, and a lack of green spaces. He also blamed inadequate infrastructure, alongside poorly maintained or designed infrastructure, such as levees, dams, and drainage systems.

He said, “Loss of vegetation can increase runoff, erosion, and landslide risks, just as rising global temperatures can lead to more frequent and intense extreme weather events.”

Adejimi advocated that there should be an improvement in urban planning through the implementation of effective drainage systems, green spaces, and flood-resistant construction practices.

While calling on the government to develop and disseminate timely warnings to help people prepare and evacuate during adverse weather events, he added that members of the public should stay informed about weather conditions and forecasts to take proactive measures.

He also called on the government to regularly inspect and maintain critical infrastructure, such as levees and drainage systems, while encouraging reforestation, sustainable agriculture, and conservation practices.

He said, “There should be an increase in awareness about flood risks, provision of emergency preparedness training, and support for vulnerable populations. Likewise, the government should implement flood-control measures by constructing flood-control structures, such as levees, dams, and floodwalls, where necessary.”