LASEPA warns Lagosians against heatwave

Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) has urged Lagosians to guide against extreme heat by drinking lots of water and equally ensure adequate ventilation at homes and offices.

General Manager of the agency, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, gave this counsel in a statement made available to newsmen, saying they needed to do this in order to mitigate the intensity of the prevailing heatwave in the state.

The LASEPA boss also enjoined Lagos residents to adequately prepare for the heat intensity associated with the dry season which she said had manifested globally as heatwaves with serious public health implications.

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According to her, Lagos, being a highly urbanised city, has a higher risk of increased warming due to the heat, saying the effect is palpable where there is a high density of dark surfaces (concretes structures, paved roads and buildings) that absorb and emit more heat within a defined area.

“High rate of fire and flooding incidents are some of the effects of heatwaves, and this underscores the need to desist from burning refuse, being a contributory factor to a high rate of heatwaves,” she said.

Fasawe said Other factors that contributed to heatwaves include the use of poorly-serviced generators and use of ozone-depleting materials, declaring: “All of which add to greenhouse gas emissions.”

Fasawe urged Lagosians to engage in tree planting activities and greenery within their localities and environments, ensure that they were properly hydrated at all times and stay within well-ventilated areas.