12-hour heavy rainfall: Lagos appeals for calm, reassures residents of safety

Following the prolonged heavy rainfall that has been consistent for the past 12 hours in Lagos, The State Government has called on residents for calm and assured them that resilient infrastructure to combat flash flooding are in place.

This was contained in a statement signed on Monday by the State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab.

The Commissioner displayed excellent insight of the situation as he informed residents that a new weather advisory from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency predicted heavy rainfall and thunderstorms for the next three days.

He stated that it is not impossible that some parts of the state may experience flash flooding because of the inability of the major collectors to contain the run-off resulting from the very heavy rainfalls.

He reminded the residents of the peculiar nature of Lagos as a coastal city and the effect of climate change which make it susceptible to vagaries of flash flooding, and asked them not to panic.

The Commissioner further explained that Lagos, being a coastal state, and with the heavy rainfalls has potential for flash flooding, especially as the level of water in the lagoon is rising and will result in a tidal lock, which will prevent discharge from all collectors.

According to him, all areas that are abutting the rivers and lagoons in Lagos are also at risk of experiencing flash floods, which may come with high currents.

Tokunbo said because of the holiday period that makes most pupils and students off school, there is need for extra vigilance so that they do not go outside to play in the rain or swim in the flash floods.

The Commissioner also reiterated his advice to motorists and pedestrians not to wade through floods, as there is a tendency that vehicles may be submerged and people swept away with such heavy floods.

He warned residents not to dispose of their refuse into the drains as the rains fall, warning that there are consequences for such acts and the refuse will end up blocking the drains and causing flash floods.

The Commissioner said the state is intensifying the year round cleaning and maintenance of all drainage channels as well as awarding contracts for the concrete lining of new ones to be able to contain run off from rainfalls, warning however that whenever more than usual rain falls as Lagos has witnessed in the last 12 hours, all concerted efforts are required to checkmate its effects.