The Lagos State Government has appealed for calm after two weeks of persistent downpours and flash floods that have submerged several communities.

To combat the rising waters, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has approved the emergency dredging of 28 additional primary drainage channels across the state.

The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, described the recent rains as an extreme weather event that dumped an unusually high volume of water in a short window, temporarily overwhelming infrastructure in areas like Victoria Island, Lekki, Ikeja, Gbagada, Mushin, and Mafoluku.

Wahab explained that Lagos faces a unique hydrological hurdle due to its network of lagoons and rivers. When heavy rains collide with high tides from the Atlantic Ocean, the natural discharge of stormwater into the sea slows down significantly, causing temporary flooding in low-lying areas. Emergency response teams have been deployed to speed up water recession and support affected residents.

While pledging continued state investment in drainage construction and desilting, the commissioner emphasized that flood management is a shared responsibility. He strongly warned residents against dumping refuse into canals, building on drainage alignments, and illegally reclaiming wetlands, noting that human activities are severely worsening the impact of climate change in coastal cities. Motorists were also advised to avoid driving through deeply flooded roads during heavy storms.