Lagos warns of more heavy rains, demolishes shanties

The Lagos State Government has issued a stern warning to residents, urging them to prepare for more heavy rainfall and the possibility of flash floods in the upcoming weeks. The government is intensifying efforts to reduce the impact of flooding and is advising individuals residing in flood-prone communities to relocate to safer areas.

This advisory follows days of persistent rainfall that have already caused significant flooding across various parts of the state. Roads and homes have been submerged, leading to disruptions in business activities and leaving commuters and motorists stranded for hours. Residents have been forced to manually bail water from their homes as the rains, which began on Sunday and intensified on Tuesday, continued in some areas on Wednesday.

Despite the widespread disruption, the government has appealed for calm, assuring the public that measures are being implemented to mitigate the effects of the flooding. Tokunbo Wahab, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, spoke on Wednesday during an inspection of the demolition of illegal structures and shanties along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway. He emphasized the need for residents to cooperate with the government's efforts to address flooding and environmental degradation.

Commissioner Wahab explained that the recent flooding was largely due to flash floods caused by heavy rainfall coinciding with high tidal levels. This combination temporarily prevented stormwater from draining into the lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean. He referenced earlier forecasts from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) predicting thunderstorms and heavy rainfall, as well as the state's 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction, which projected above-normal rainfall.

Wahab further clarified the phenomenon of flash flooding, describing it as occurring when high sea levels prevent stormwater from discharging into water bodies. He acknowledged that some areas, like Ajiran, continue to experience persistent flooding, partly due to illegal land reclamation. The demolition of illegal structures, ordered by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, targets encroachments on the highway's median.

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Flash flooding is basically when the sea level is up. When it rains heavily, your stormwater cannot discharge into the lagoon or its discharge point. It will hold back for about one or two hours. Even after the rain stops, within one or two hours, the water will recede because nature allows it to return to the discharge point. That’s why we call it flash flooding.