The Lagos State Government has urged residents to remain calm following nine hours of relentless rainfall that has led to significant flash flooding across the city.
Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources Commissioner, Tokunbo Wahab, detailed the situation and assured the public of immediate actions being taken to mitigate the effects.
The heavy rainfall, which began in the early hours of Wednesday and has been ongoing daily since last week, has caused a substantial rise in the level of the Lagos lagoon, leading to widespread inundation. Areas such as Iyana Oworo, which connects to the Third Mainland Bridge, have been particularly affected.
Commissioner Wahab emphasised that the floods in these regions will recede once the rain stops and the lagoon’s water level decreases. To address the immediate threat, the state has deployed the Emergency Flood Abatement Gang to critical areas, ensuring that blockages are cleared and drainage systems are functioning optimally.
Residents in low-lying areas have been advised to relocate to higher grounds to safeguard their lives and properties. Additionally, Wahab warned against driving through flooded areas, highlighting the dangers posed by even a foot of flowing water.
The Commissioner also encouraged the public to stay informed through daily weather reports issued by the Ministry. He reminded residents of Lagos’s unique challenges as a coastal city, where a significant portion of the land is susceptible to flooding.
As part of ongoing efforts to prevent such occurrences, the state government has embarked on a year-long maintenance programme for its drainage systems. Residents are also urged to contribute by keeping tertiary drains in front of their properties clean and refraining from dumping refuse in them.
Ozioma Samuel-Ugwuezi
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