Lagos Govt Appeals for Calm as Flash Floods Paralyse City

The Lagos State Government has urged residents to remain calm following a prolonged downpour that led to severe flash flooding in various parts of the city on Monday, August 4, 2025.

The rain, which lasted over 12 hours, caused widespread disruption across major roads and communities, particularly in low-lying and waterfront areas such as Lekki, Alimosho, Agege, Oworonshoki, Ikorodu Road, Ikotun, and parts of Lagos Island and the Mainland.

Commuters were stranded, vehicles stalled in water, and some homes and businesses were submerged.

Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, in a statement, assured residents that the state’s emergency response mechanisms had been activated and that drainage channels across the city were being monitored and cleared to ease water flow.

He explained that the current flooding was worsened by a phenomenon known as tidal backflow, or tidal lock, which occurs when the Lagos lagoon rises due to high tides, making it difficult for rainwater to discharge through the drains.

Wahab also emphasized that despite the temporary flooding, Lagos had invested heavily in flood control infrastructure, including drainage construction and concrete lining of major channels. He said the state would continue to implement long-term solutions to urban flooding.

The government advised residents, especially those living in flood-prone areas, to remain vigilant and avoid crossing heavily flooded roads. Motorists were warned to drive cautiously, and parents were advised to keep children indoors and prevent them from playing in floodwaters.

Authorities also reiterated the importance of maintaining clean drainage systems and discouraged the indiscriminate dumping of refuse, which contributes to blocked waterways and worsens flood risks.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) has forecast continued rainfall and thunderstorms in Lagos over the next few days, raising concerns about possible additional flooding.

Residents are encouraged to follow official weather updates and cooperate with emergency responders to ensure their safety.