The Lagos State Government has cautioned residents against indiscriminate dumping of refuse on roads and drainage channels, warning that flash flooding remains an unavoidable reality due to the state’s coastal location.
The warning came amid recent heavy rainfall that triggered flooding in several parts of the state over the past weeks, raising fresh concerns about urban drainage and environmental management.
Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said Lagos cannot completely escape flash floods because of its geography, low-lying coastal terrain and rising sea levels linked to climate change.
He however, stressed that the impact could be significantly reduced through proper planning, infrastructure development and responsible public behaviour.
According to him, many flooding incidents are worsened by human actions, especially when waste is dumped into drains and later washed into waterways during rainfall, blocking the free flow of stormwater.
He explained that in some parts of Lagos, stormwater temporarily builds up during heavy rains and high tides due to what he described as a “tidal lock” effect, where rising sea levels prevent immediate drainage into the ocean.
In such cases, he assured residents that floodwater usually recedes within a short period.
Wahab urged Lagosians not to panic during such occurrences but to support government efforts by keeping drainage channels clear and disposing of waste properly.
He added that the state government is continuously investing in resilient infrastructure to improve flood control across Lagos, including drainage expansion and channel maintenance.
As part of ongoing efforts, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has approved the immediate dredging and maintenance of 28 additional primary drainage channels to reduce the impact of heavy rainfall in vulnerable areas.
The commissioner reaffirmed that while flash flooding cannot be entirely eliminated in a coastal city like Lagos, collective responsibility between government and residents remains key to minimising its effects.
