Lagos Urges Residents To Stay Alert Amid Heavy Rainfall

The Lagos State government has urged residents, especially those in low-lying regions, to stay alert due to the ongoing heavy rainfall, which is likely to cause flash flooding throughout the state.

Tokunbo Wahab, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, cautioned that data from the state’s monitoring stations predict thunderstorms and widespread convective rainfall with thick cloud cover in the coming days.

He noted that geostationary imagery indicates heavy rainfall and flash floods in many areas, aligning with prior warnings issued this year. Wahab stated: “All areas abutting rivers and lagoons in Lagos are also at risk of flash floods with strong currents.”

He recommended that residents remain indoors during heavy downpours unless absolutely necessary, advising them to evaluate conditions and prepare accordingly before going out. Parents were also advised to closely monitor their children, particularly those on mid-term breaks, to prevent them from playing in the rain or swimming in floodwaters.

Wahab repeated warnings to drivers and pedestrians to avoid flooded areas, highlighting the risks of vehicles being submerged and individuals being swept away by strong currents.

As a coastal state, Lagos experiences rising lagoon water levels during heavy rains, creating tidal locks that impede drainage system water discharge. Residents were cautioned against disposing of waste in drains during rainfall, as clogged drains worsen flooding.

The Commissioner affirmed that the state government regularly maintains and clears its drainage systems throughout the year to handle rainwater runoff. However, he stressed the need for extra measures during intense rainfall to reduce the impact of flash floods.