Lagos Govt Calls For Calm Following Persistent Rainfall, Flash Floods

The Lagos State Government has appealed for calm following persistent rainfall and flash flooding recorded across several parts of the state, assuring residents that measures are being intensified to address the situation.

Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has approved the immediate dredging and maintenance of 28 additional primary drainage channels to improve flood control.

According to the government, the recent flooding was triggered by unusually heavy rainfall within a short period, which overwhelmed drainage channels in parts of Victoria Island, Lekki, Ikeja, Gbagada, Mushin, Mafoluku and other areas.

Wahab explained that Lagos’ unique coastal geography, with its network of lagoons, rivers and creeks, slows the discharge of stormwater into the Atlantic Ocean during high tide, resulting in temporary flooding in low-lying communities during intense rainfall.

He assured residents that emergency response agencies remain on the ground, while continuous monitoring of drainage infrastructure and flood-prone locations is ongoing to ensure floodwaters recede as quickly as possible.

The commissioner urged residents to avoid dumping refuse into drains and waterways, refrain from building on drainage channels and wetlands, and comply with weather advisories and safety instructions, stressing that flood prevention is a shared responsibility between the government and residents.