Following torrential downpours that hit parts of Lagos on Saturday, the Lagos State Government has issued a fresh flood alert, warning residents—especially those in low-lying and flood-prone areas—to brace for more flash floods in the coming days.
Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, sounded the alarm in a statement released on Sunday, noting that geostationary weather imagery showed dense cloud cover and widespread thunderstorms likely to trigger intense rainfall.
“What this means in simple language is that many areas will experience very heavy rainfall and flash floods, which we had already warned about earlier in the year,” Wahab explained.
He emphasized that residents living near rivers and lagoons are particularly at risk due to the likelihood of fast-moving floodwaters and rising lagoon levels caused by tidal lock.
“Lagos is a coastal state. With this volume of rain, the water level in the lagoon will rise and may cause a tidal lock, preventing proper discharge from the drainage channels,” he said.
Wahab urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel during rainstorms and advised parents to keep children indoors during the mid-term school break.
“If you don’t have serious business outside during the rains, please stay indoors until the rain subsides so you can assess the situation and stay safe,” he cautioned.
Motorists and pedestrians were also warned against driving or walking through flooded roads.
“There’s always a risk that vehicles could be submerged and lives lost,” Wahab said.
He reiterated the importance of not dumping refuse into stormwater drains, noting that such actions only worsen flooding by clogging drainage systems.
“All drains are being cleaned year-round, but when we experience more rain than usual, it takes collective effort to reduce its impact,” Wahab stressed.
The Commissioner’s statement comes as Lagos continues its urban regeneration efforts on Lagos Island, including ongoing drainage inspections and pump station upgrades to help manage runoff from intense rainfall.
