The Lagos State Government has attributed the flooding currently affecting parts of the state to a sharp rise in the water level of the Lagos Lagoon, rather than rainfall alone.
Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed this in a statement shared on Tuesday, explaining that the lagoon’s water level has risen by about one metre, making it difficult for stormwater to drain effectively.
According to him, the unusually high lagoon level is preventing floodwaters from flowing freely through drainage channels into the lagoon, leading to temporary inundation of roads and residential areas in several parts of the state.
He, however, assured residents that the situation is expected to improve once the rainfall eases and the lagoon water level gradually recedes, allowing the trapped stormwater to flow out naturally.
“The flooding currently being experienced in some parts of Lagos is largely attributable to a significant rise in the lagoon water level, which has increased by approximately one metre,” Wahab said.
He added that government agencies are closely monitoring the situation and are implementing necessary measures to minimise the impact of the flooding.
The commissioner urged residents to remain calm, exercise caution while moving around flood-prone areas, and cooperate with emergency and environmental officials as efforts continue to manage the situation.
Lagos, a low-lying coastal city bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and a network of lagoons, is particularly vulnerable to flooding during the rainy season.
Heavy rainfall combined with high tidal levels often slows the discharge of stormwater, resulting in temporary flooding in some communities despite ongoing drainage infrastructure improvements.
