The Lagos State Government has directed residents living in low-lying and flood-prone communities to relocate temporarily to safer, higher ground following a fresh seven-day flood alert issued by the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NiHSA).
The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, gave the directive in a statement issued on Monday by the ministry’s Director of Public Affairs, Kunle Adeshina, stressing that early action was necessary to prevent loss of lives and property.
Wahab said the state was treating the NiHSA advisory with utmost seriousness and had intensified monitoring of identified vulnerable locations, including Eti-Osa, Lagos Island, Oke-Ira Nla in Ajah, Kirikiri, Ilaje Waterfront Jetty and Jetty Terminal B.
He urged residents not to wait until floodwaters rise before taking precautionary measures, advising those in vulnerable communities to move to higher ground and remain there until the peak of the rainy season passes.
The commissioner also urged communities along the Ogun River and other major waterways to exercise heightened caution, noting that increased rainfall and rising water levels in connected river systems could affect downstream communities in Lagos.
Among the communities listed for heightened vigilance between September 19 and 25 are Isheri North, Kara, Itowolo, Ajegunle, Majidun, Ogolonto, parts of Agboyi and other settlements downstream of Isheri Olofin.
Wahab advised residents living close to rivers, lagoons, wetlands, drainage channels and other water bodies to monitor official flood forecasts and be prepared for temporary relocation when necessary.
According to the commissioner, the NiHSA advisory indicated that rising river levels could cause flooding in vulnerable communities and affect critical facilities such as schools, healthcare centres, markets, farms and places of worship.
He called on affected local governments, emergency management agencies, community leaders and residents to activate early-warning and response mechanisms, including moving people, livestock and valuable property to safer locations where necessary.
Wahab assured residents that the state government would continue to monitor river levels, rainfall patterns and other hydrological developments in collaboration with relevant federal agencies, while sustaining the cleaning, maintenance and monitoring of drainage infrastructure across Lagos.
He also appealed to residents to support flood mitigation efforts by avoiding the dumping of refuse in drains, canals and waterways, warning that blocked drainage channels could worsen flooding and delay the recession of floodwaters.
The commissioner further cautioned residents against walking or driving through flooded roads, bridges and fast-moving water, urging those in vulnerable areas to make arrangements for temporary relocation whenever official warnings indicate an imminent threat.
The latest NiHSA advisory covers September 19 to 25 and places Lagos among 15 states identified as vulnerable to flooding. The advisory reportedly warned that more than 8,000 communities and 4,500 schools across the affected states could be exposed to flooding as river levels rise.
Other states listed in the advisory include Imo, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Benue, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Edo, Enugu, Bayelsa, Kogi, Abia, Taraba and Rivers.
