Heavy flash floods and traffic gridlock were the aftermath of the first rain of 2019 in Lagos on Sunday, January 20, 2019. Starting at about 12:30pm, the rain lasted for about an hour and half.

It was preceded by a heavy wind and cloudy atmosphere. The rain reportedly touched almost every nook and cranny of the state.

Many residents heaved a sigh of relief due to the harsh weather experienced since the yuletide season. Some described the rain as a sign of good things to come in the year.

Mrs Laide Abayomi, a hair stylist, told NAN that the rain was long overdue.

“We thank God for the rain, though we have been expecting it since last week when other states were experiencing there own.

“The weather pattern has also changed, everything now has changed, even the harmattan started late. We pray the rain brings good increase in our agricultural sector,” Abayomi said.

Mr Akinyemi Badmus, a transporter said the first rain of the year was a sign of blessing.

“I never knew it will come today (Sunday). It has really affected my business as the roads are blocked.

“I want to advice that government should prepare for the rainy season so that we will not be caught unawares when heavy rain comes.

“I ply Yaba route but since the rain started around mid-day, I couldn’t make any fast trip due to the blocked drains along that axis to Ojuelegba.

“Let the Ministry of Environment start work, all the gutters, drainages and roads are blocked,” Badmus said.

Mr Kay Shittu, a resident around Mile 12 area of lkosi/Isheri Local Council Development Area (LCDA), said he was happy to witness the first rain of the year.

“Although there was no sign that it would rain in the morning, I got drenched when it poured and was happy.

“The heat has been too much of recent, especially with the epileptic power supply.

“I know this night would be a bit cool for me to have a sound sleep,” he said.

Mrs Augustina Ekwe, a resident of Ikorodu area, said that the rain was good.

“I was at the Ikorodu Bus stop waiting for vehicle to board to Ketu when I observed that the weather was cloudy.

“Thank God l boarded a vehicle before the rain started.

“I like it. The rain is very good for everybody generally.

“This is January and with such a heavy rain, it shows a sign of good things to happen in the new year,” she said.

Mr Johnson Bola, a trader at Ikosi/Ketu Jakande Fruit Market, said the first rain was okay, but it should have fallen at night.

“Yes, the rain was a downpour. I wished it had fallen in the night.

“Now the market is flooded and full of dirt and muddy water.

“It is good as it fell and stopped. No drizzling, no intermittent falling of the rain.

“As the first rain of the year, l am happy. It had been hot, and at least it will make everywhere cool for a while,” he said.

Efforts to reach the Lagos NiMet Director, Mr Peter Odjugo, proved abortive as his number “was not reachable”.

Places like Akerele, Idi-Araba Road, Lawanson/Itire Road, and Ogulana Drive experienced heavy flood, while some residents were seen clearing the gutters by their houses. 

A new study has found that wild coffee species are now under threat from climate change.

Scientists at the Royal Botanic Gardens have found that 60 per cent of wild coffee species are at risk of extinction. This includes Arabica, the world’s most widely traded coffee.

The report states how despite the success of Arabica and Robusta coffee in the industry, they now face new threats of climate change, including the increasing incidence and duration of drought.

Dr Justin Moat, Head of Spatial Analysis at Kew and one of the authors of the paper, said: “Our initial evaluation of Arabica coffee suggested that it was not threatened with extinction in the wild.

“However, after factoring in climate change, it moved upwards by two categories to become an endangered species. These findings are so important as they indicate that the extinction risk to many other coffee species could be much worse if we consider climate change.”

The coffee industry currently relies on Arabica and Robusta coffee. However, as climate change worsens, it could result in having to rely on different coffee species for coffee crop plant development.

Ethiopia is the natural birthplace of wild Arabica coffee with an annual export value of $1 billion. It is an important source of seed stock for coffee farming, but it could be in serious jeopardy if conservation action is not taken to protect the plant form a changing climate and deforestation, says experts.  

Dr Aaron Davis, Head of Coffee Research at Kew and lead author of the Science Advances paper, said: “Among the coffee species threatened with extinction are those that have potential to be used to breed and develop the coffees of the future, including those resistant to disease and capable of withstanding worsening climatic conditions. The use and development of wild coffee resources could be key to the long-term sustainability of the coffee sector. Targeted action is urgently required in specific tropical countries, particularly in Africa, to protect the future of coffee.”

Courtesy: Climate Action