Lagos alerts residents to heavy rainfall, flooding

The Lagos State Government has urged residents of the state to brace for heavy rainfall and flash flooding as the rainy season approaches.

The state Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed this on Friday at a press briefing on the Seasonal Climate Prediction and its socio-economic implications for the state, held at the ministry’s conference room in Alausa.

Wahab said the Nigerian Meteorological Agency released the 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction on February 10, outlining the expected patterns of rainfall, temperature and other weather parameters across the country.

According to him, the annual briefing is organised by the state government as part of efforts to keep residents informed about important climate information and to prepare them for the possible impacts of the rainy season and other weather events.

Wahab noted that the forecast indicated an early to normal onset of the rainy season, a normal to late cessation, and normal to above-normal rainfall, with temperatures likely to be above normal in most parts of the state between March and May.

He added that the year 2026 was predicted to begin with a weak La Niña in January, while the neutral phase of ENSO was expected to persist during the first six to eight months of the year.

“This also implies an early onset of the rainy season, a longer-than-normal length and a delayed end of the rainy season in Lagos,” he said.

Wahab noted that above-normal rainfall amounts were expected during the first peak of the rainy season, while normal rainfall amounts were anticipated during the second peak.

He said the rainy season was expected to begin as early as the last week of March and end in the first week of December, with an average annual rainfall predicted to range between 1,650mm and 3,030mm.

Providing a further breakdown, the commissioner said the Ikeja Division was expected to record rainfall onset on March 31 and cessation on December 2, with an annual rainfall amount of about 1,932mm.

He added that the Badagry Division was projected to experience rainfall from March 28 to December 3 with an annual amount of 2,010mm, while Ikorodu is expected to have rainfall beginning on March 31 and ending on December 2 with an annual amount of 1,935mm.

He also noted that the Lagos Island Division would likely experience rainfall from March 30 to December 2 with an annual amount of 1,968mm, while Epe is projected to have rainfall from March 29 to December 3 with an annual amount of 1,984mm.

Wahab noted that considering all the 20 local government areas, Lagos State is expected to record an average rainfall amount of about 1,965mm.

He warned that the expected high rainfall could lead to flooding in parts of the state, adding that strong winds at the beginning and end of the rainy season could pose risks to lives and property and disrupt commercial activities.

Wahab added, “Lagos State is expected to experience above normal rainfall. This is expected for the neighbouring Ogun State. It is also expected that the high amounts of rainfall sometimes would lead to flooding events in parts of the state.

“Because strong winds are expected during the onset and the end of each rainy season, lives and properties may be at risk. Commercial activities disruption, flight delays and resulting revenue loss could arise.”

The commissioner also noted that the state had its own network of weather stations and river gauge stations to monitor weather patterns and river levels to improve preparedness for flood-related incidents.

According to him, the ministry is collaborating with NiMet in the annual Seasonal Climate Prediction exercise, which has become an important early warning tool for farmers, planners, decision-makers and business operators likely to be affected by rainfall patterns.

Wahab assured residents that the state government had intensified flood control measures to manage the anticipated rainfall.

He said the ministry had continued its all-year-round drainage maintenance programme and was strengthening solid waste management to ensure effective flood control and environmental hygiene.

The commissioner added that the state would maintain its long-standing collaboration with the Ogun-Oshun River Basin Development Authority to monitor and control the release of water from the Oyan Dam in order to prevent flooding along the downstream reaches of the Ogun River.

He said low-lying communities such as Agiliti, Agboyi, Itowolo and Ajegunle were being closely monitored due to the possibility of flooding from the Ogun River and other river basins.

Wahab also disclosed that the Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency had been placed on alert to ensure compliance with safety regulations for billboards and telecommunication masts in order to prevent possible collapse during periods of strong winds.

He noted that emergency response agencies and traffic management authorities had also been placed on high alert to minimise the impact of thunderstorms and heavy rainfall across the state.

He explained that rising lagoon levels and high tidal movements could sometimes prevent drainage channels from discharging stormwater, leading to temporary flooding until the water level recedes.

Wahab said the state government had strengthened its Flood Early Warning Systems to provide timely and reliable information that would enable residents and authorities to respond appropriately to flooding risks.

The commissioner continued, “We will beef up our enlightenment efforts to sensitise and advise communities in coastal and low-lying wetland areas of the State, to move upland to avoid needless loss of lives and property, when the need arises.

“We will also continue to protect our water bodies from indiscriminate discharge of solid waste as well as the erection of illegal structures along the drainage alignment/setback.”

The commissioner also appealed to residents living along flood plains and drainage channels in areas such as Owode, Iwaya, Makoko, Badia, Ijora, Isaalu, Pota and Shibiri to remain vigilant and be prepared to move to higher ground when advised.

He urged motorists to observe speed limits during the rainy season to reduce the risk of accidents.

Wahab also warned residents against indiscriminate dumping of refuse, blocking drainage channels with construction materials, and erecting structures within drainage setbacks.

He encouraged Lagosians to report cases of drainage blockage and illegal waste disposal to the ministry, adding that drainage engineers have been deployed across the 57 LGAs and LCDAs.

He concluded by urging residents to support the government’s efforts by regularly clearing drains around their homes to ensure the free flow of stormwater and prevent waste from entering drainage channels.

Culled from punch