==================================================================================================================================Well everyone has their own preferences when it comes to seasons and its really all subjective to be honest and even here in Nigeria, we have our own seasonal experiences and personal seasons that we like and we dislike, our season here consists particularly of the dry season, the rainy season, and the Harmattan period. Each comes with its own challenges, for me the most difficult season would undoubtedly be the rainy season, especially after what I experienced in my temporary stay in Lagos this year.
Before living in Lagos, I knew that the rainy season could be uncomfortable. The roads become wet, especially since we have a huge number of untarred roads, traveling is hell and you sometimes have to cancel plans because of a sudden downpour. However, the rainy season in Lagos is just a different hell. It was not simply about getting wet or having to carry an umbrella everywhere. The flooding was just almost unbearable.
Whenever the rain started falling heavily, there was always that uncomfortable feeling of wondering what would happen next. Would the roads become impassable? Would traffic become worse than usual? Would I get to my destination without having to struggle through dirty water? These were some of the questions that came to mind. In a city where movement can already be stressful on an ordinary day, heavy rainfall made everything feel twice as difficult and the answer to all those quetsions are Yes, Yes and Yes!!
One of the most frustrating things was the condition of the gutters. They would fill up with water, and before you know it the drainage systems seemed unable to cope with the amount of rainfall. In some places, the water would overflow onto the roads, carrying dirt and rubbish along with it. Walking around became an unpleasant experience because you could hardly tell what was beneath the water. What looked like an ordinary puddle could conceal a pothole, an open drain, or piles of refuse. It was just all so disgusting and irritating to be honest.
At some point, it felt as though the entire city had become one giant drainage channel. The streets looked so dirty and the floodwater made an already congested environment feel even more chaotic. It was particularly disturbing to see rubbish floating in water that people had to walk through just to get to work. You could not help wondering how a city as important as Lagos could become so uncomfortable to live in whenever the rain became intense and yes I understand that heavy rainfall is a natural occurrence. No city can completely prevent rain and flooding can happen even in places with good infrastructure. However, the way a city prepares for and responds to rainfall makes a significant difference.
The flooding also made me appreciate how easily ordinary activities can become difficult. A journey that should take a short time could turn into a long and exhausting trip. Shoes and clothes could get soaked and arriving at your destination looking presentable became a challenge.
So, what do I do to make the rainy season bearable? First, If I know that heavy rain is likely, I would just stay at home(Lol), like for real for me it is just never worth it. Like i dont even own an umbrella but im not saying rain is the nemesis of course, because at the end of the day rain is essential for humanity. There is something peaceful about listening to rainfall especially when you are indoors. The problem begins when the rain exposes the weaknesses in the environment where we live.
If there is one thing I hope improves, it is the way our cities manage rainfall. Nobody can stop the rain from falling, but with functional drainage systems and better urban planning we can make the rainy season far less miserable. Until then, I will continue to stay indoors whenever it rains. Lol!
One must still Watch your step...
