Lagos Govt Warns Residents to Brace for Continued Flash Flooding

The Lagos State Government has issued a candid warning to its residents, stating that the metropolis will continue to experience flash flooding, especially in low-lying coastal areas. The government attributed this to the combined effects of climate change, the city’s unique geography, and human-induced factors.

The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, made the statement during a recent television interview, following torrential rainfall that caused widespread flooding across the state. Wahab emphasized that as a coastal city, Lagos is highly susceptible to a “tidal lock,” where rising lagoon levels during heavy rainfall prevent stormwater from draining away.

“We won’t tell Lagosians lies. Lagos will be exposed to the vagaries of climate change, and that means Lagos will have flash flooding,” Wahab said. He urged residents in high-risk zones to be on high alert and, if necessary, to temporarily relocate to higher ground. The Commissioner specifically identified parts of Lekki, Ikorodu (Majidun and Ijede), and Ajegunle (Ajilete axis) as areas most vulnerable to the effects of the persistent rainfall.

In response to the recurring challenge, the government says it has been working on both long-term and immediate solutions. Wahab confirmed that over the last two years, the ministry has cleaned more than 50 kilometres of secondary collectors and dredged about 38 primary channels to improve the city’s drainage capacity. He also pointed to ongoing construction projects for resilient infrastructure, including new drainage systems and high-capacity pump stations.

However, the Commissioner also placed a significant portion of the responsibility on residents, urging them to stop indiscriminate dumping of refuse in drains and to comply with environmental laws. He reiterated that while the government is providing resilient infrastructure, the cooperation of citizens is critical to mitigating the impact of the floods.