Lagos urges residents to exercise caution amid heavy rainfall

Lagos residents have been urged to stay indoors and avoid floodwaters as the city experiences intense rainfall, with more showers expected in the coming days.

Tokunbo Wahab, the Lagos state commissioner for environment and water resources, issued the warning in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday.

He said the city has recorded over 12 hours of continuous downpour and warned that more rain was on the way, citing earlier forecasts from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).

“I urge all residents to remain calm. We have resilient systems in place to manage flash floods, but the sheer volume of rainfall may temporarily overwhelm some drainage channels,” Wahab said.

He noted that Lagos, being a coastal city, faces natural vulnerabilities like tidal lock-up, which is a situation where rising lagoon water levels slow the discharge of rainwater, adding that the problem is being worsened by climate change.

Wahab said areas near rivers and lagoons were being closely monitored due to the increased risk of flash floods with strong currents.

He appealed to parents and guardians to keep children indoors during the ongoing school holiday, warning that floodwaters are dangerous and can be life-threatening.

“Swimming or playing in floodwater is extremely dangerous,” he said. “I also appeal to motorists and pedestrians to avoid moving through flooded roads. Vehicles can be submerged, and lives can be lost.”

The commissioner stressed that indiscriminate dumping of refuse into drains during rainfall worsens flooding and attracts sanctions.

He noted that enforcement efforts would continue to ensure compliance with environmental regulations.

While acknowledging that drainage systems may be temporarily overwhelmed during unusually heavy downpours, Wahab said the government was actively expanding its flood control infrastructure.

“Our teams are working round the clock to clean and maintain drainages and are expanding our network with concrete-lined channels to manage runoff more effectively,” he said.

“But in times of unusually heavy downpour like this, every resident must play their part. Together, we will keep Lagos safe.”

He assured that the state government would continue to monitor the situation and respond swiftly to any emergencies, urging residents to cooperate and stay safe.