ALERT: Lagos warns residents of heavy rainfall, flash floods

The Lagos government has warned that more intense rainfall and flash floods are expected across the state in the coming days.

In an X post on Monday, Tokunbo Wahab, Lagos commissioner for environment and water resources, said the state has witnessed heavy rainfall in the past 12 hours, with forecasts from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) predicting continued downpour.

Wahab, who urged residents to remain calm and take precautions, noted that Lagos as a coastal city, is prone to tidal lock-up — a condition where rising lagoon levels slow the flow of stormwater, leading to flooding.

“We have resilient systems in place to manage flash floods, but the sheer volume of rainfall may temporarily overwhelm some drainage channels,” the post reads.

Wahab said the government is closely monitoring flood-prone areas, especially those near rivers and lagoons, and advised residents in those locations to exercise caution.

He appealed to parents to keep their children indoors during the holiday period, warning that swimming or playing in floodwater is extremely dangerous.

The commissioner also cautioned against dumping waste into drains during rainfall, noting that such acts contribute to flooding and attract sanctions.

He added that government teams are working round the clock to clean, maintain, and expand drainage networks across the city.

“Motorists and pedestrians should also avoid flooded roads. Vehicles can be submerged, and lives can be lost,” Wahab said.

“Once again, I must stress, do not dump refuse into drains during rainfall. It clogs our drainage systems and worsens flooding. There are consequences for such actions, and enforcement will continue.”