The Lagos State Government has urged residents to stay calm and alert as the state continues to experience heavy rainfall, flash floods, and rising water levels.
For over 12 hours, the rains have poured across Lagos, prompting concerns in low-lying communities and coastal neighbourhoods.
In a statement on Monday, Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said the government is monitoring the situation closely.
He revealed that a new weather advisory from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted more heavy rainfall and thunderstorms for the next three days.
“It is not impossible that some parts of the state may experience flash flooding,” Wahab said, “because the major collectors may not be able to handle the heavy run-off.”
Lagoon Levels Rising, Residents on Alert
Wahab explained that Lagos, being a coastal city, is naturally prone to flooding. With more rainfall, the water level in the lagoon rises, leading to a phenomenon called tidal lock—when floodwater can’t drain effectively.
“This can prevent discharge from all our major drains and collectors,” he noted.
He cautioned residents in low-lying communities to stay alert, as intense rainfall could trigger high-current flash floods.
Areas close to rivers, swamps, and lagoons are particularly vulnerable.
“We’re asking people in these areas to take extra care. If necessary, temporarily relocate to safer ground,” he advised.
Children, Motorists, and Waste Disposal Under Watch
With schools on holiday, Wahab urged parents and guardians to monitor their children closely.
“Children must not swim in the flood or play in the rain. It’s dangerous,” he warned.
He also advised motorists and pedestrians not to drive or walk through flooded areas.
“There’s a real risk of being swept away. Some vehicles may be fully submerged in minutes,” Wahab said.
On drainage issues, he warned residents against dumping waste into the gutters during the rains, stating clearly:
“If you pour refuse into drains, it will clog them. The consequences are on all of us.”
The state, he said, is continuing the all-year cleaning of drains and canals. Contracts have also been awarded for new concrete drainage projects to improve flood management.
However, Wahab noted that even with the best efforts, extremely heavy rain will always challenge the system.
“Whenever there’s more rainfall than usual—like what we’ve seen in the past 12 hours—everyone must act together to reduce the impact,” he added.
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