Lagos Says Flash Flooding Inevitable, Urges Residents to Keep Drains Clear

The Lagos State Government says flash flooding remains an unavoidable reality because of the state's coastal geography but insists sustained investment in drainage infrastructure and responsible waste disposal can significantly reduce its impact.

Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources Tokunbo Wahab made the remarks on Wednesday during an appearance on Channels Television, following widespread flooding across parts of Lagos after days of heavy rainfall.

Wahab said the state cannot completely eliminate flash flooding because of its low-lying coastal terrain and the effects of climate change, including rising sea levels and tidal surges that delay the discharge of stormwater.

"Must we always get flooded? I will tell you no. But can we realistically, as a coastal state, avoid flash flooding? I will tell you no," Wahab said. "So, what do we do? There must be a balance. We must mitigate the impact of our realities."

He said some parts of Lagos lie below sea level, making them especially vulnerable during periods of intense rainfall and high tides.

"Once the sea level is up, your stormwater naturally will not discharge. It will hold back for maybe one or two hours. That's why we say to Lagosians: please, don't panic. This water will recede within one or two hours," he said.

The commissioner urged residents to stop dumping refuse on roads and into drainage channels, warning that indiscriminate waste disposal blocks drain and worsens flooding.

"The elephant in the room is that Lagos is a coastal state, and we're exposed to the vagaries of climate change. We can't run away from it," Wahab said.

He said the government is expanding flood-control infrastructure across the state as part of efforts to improve resilience against extreme weather.

"Our responsibility is to provide resilient infrastructure statewide, and we're continuing to do that," he said.

Wahab's comments come after flash floods inundated several communities across Lagos over the past two weeks, disrupting traffic, damaging property and affecting electricity supply in some areas.

In response, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu approved the immediate dredging and maintenance of 28 additional primary drainage channels to improve stormwater management and reduce flooding across the state.