The Lagos State Government has called for calm from all residents of the state as it experiences over 12 hours of heavy rainfall, with an assurance that the state has put in place resilient infrastructure to combat flash flooding. In a statement, State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, informed residents that a new weather advisory from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency warned of heavy rainfall and thunderstorms for the next three days.

Director (Public Affairs) MOE&WR, Kunle Adeshina, in the statement, quoted Wahab as saying, “It is not impossible that some parts of the state may experience flash flooding because of the inability of the major collectors not being able to contain the run-off resulting from the very heavy rainfalls.” Adeshina further quoted Wahab as reminding residents that the peculiar nature of Lagos as a coastal city and the effect of climate change makes it susceptible to vagaries of flash flooding.

Wahab explained that Lagos being a coastal state, and with the heavy rainfalls, the level of water in the lagoon is bound to rise and will result in a tidal lock which will prevent discharge from all collectors. According to him, all areas that are abutting the rivers and lagoons in Lagos are also at risk of experiencing flash floods, which may come with high currents. Kunle Adeshina added that Wahab called for extra vigilance, especially during the holiday period, and advised residents not to dispose of refuse into the drains as the rains fall, warning that there are consequences for such acts.

The Commissioner reiterated the earlier advisory to motorists and pedestrians not to wade through floods as there is the tendency that vehicles may be submerged and people swept away with such heavy floods. The state is intensifying the year-round cleaning and maintenance of all drainage channels as well as awarding contracts for the concrete lining of new ones to be able to contain run-off from rainfalls.