The Lagos State Government (LSG) has urged residents to remain calm following over 12 hours of continuous rainfall, assuring the public that flood‑resilient infrastructure remains operational but warning of possible temporary flash flooding in vulnerable areas.
Meteorologists from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) forecast continued thunderstorms and heavy rain in Lagos over the next three days, amplifying concerns over disrupted drainage and stormwater management.
Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources Tokunbo Wahab cautioned that Lagos’s coastal geography, combined with climate variability, heightens flood risks:
“Rising lagoon levels during intense rainfalls can cause a tidal lock, which prevents stormwater from discharging—from which flash floods may occur.
He further explained that major drainage collectors may be overwhelmed, unable to handle surges in runoff—making low‑lying, riverine, and lagoon‑bordered districts especially susceptible to high‑current flooding.
Residents have been advised to heed the following until the rains ease:
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Keep children indoors and discourage them from playing or swimming in floodwaters during extended school holidays.
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Avoid walking or driving through waterlogged streets, as vehicles can submerge and pedestrians may be swept away.
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Do not dump refuse into storm drains, particularly during rainfall, as blockages can escalate flood events—and violators may face penalties.
LSG affirmed that it is intensifying year‑round cleansing of drainage channels and has commissioned concrete‑lined collectors, especially in flood‑prone zones.
Emergency crews are on stand-by in hotspot areas to facilitate early rescue and water‑level monitoring, with coordination enhanced via newly installed river‑gauge stations and local NiMet weather data integration.
By mid‑morning, Lagos roads—including Ikorodu Road, Apapa, Alimosho, Lekki axis, and sections of the Lagos‑Ibadan Expressway—were submerged, leading to massive gridlock, stranded vehicles, and shut-down of markets and businesses.
Many motorists recounted being stuck for hours in flooded areas such as Odo‑Iya‑Alaro Bridge (Ikorodu) and Alakuko, where floodwater concealed road depressions and worsened traffic.
With much of its terrain at or near sea level, Lagos is inherently at risk of flood-related shocks, especially when intense rainfall coincides with elevated lagoon tides. Though infrastructure upgrades are ongoing, extreme downpour events still test the system’s full capacity.
Speaking on behalf of the state, Commissioner Wahab reminded Lagosians:
“While Lagos has in place weather‑alert systems and flood‑mitigation plans, collective cooperation is essential—especially during unusually heavy rain‑events like the past 12 hours, to minimise damage and protect lives.
He further urged the media to “eschew sensational headlines that may incite panic,” emphasising that floodwaters typically recede within hours once lagoon levels drop.
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