The Lagos State Government has advised residents in low-lying and flood-prone communities to move to higher ground following a fresh seven-day flood warning issued by the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency.
The government said the precautionary measure was necessary to safeguard lives and property as rising water levels and increased rainfall could worsen flooding in vulnerable parts of the state.
The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday by the ministry’s Director of Public Affairs, Kunle Adeshina.
According to the state government, the latest NiHSA alert covers Lagos and 14 other states, with several communities in the state identified as vulnerable.
The affected locations include parts of Eti-Osa, Lagos Island, Oke-Ira Nla in Ajah, Kirikiri, Ilaje Waterfront Jetty and Jetty Terminal B.
Wahab said the state was taking the advisory seriously and had stepped up surveillance in the listed areas, as well as other riverine and flood-prone communities.
He urged residents to act before floodwaters become dangerous, stressing that early preparation and temporary relocation could help prevent avoidable deaths and destruction of property.
“We are urging Lagosians, particularly those living in flood-prone and low-lying areas, not to take this warning lightly. When the signs point to danger, the safest decision is to move early. No property is worth risking a life,” Wahab stated.
The commissioner advised residents in vulnerable communities to relocate to higher ground and remain there until the peak of the renewed rainy season had passed.
He also urged people living around the Ogun River and other major waterways to exercise caution, noting that heavy rainfall and increasing water levels within connected river systems could have consequences for communities downstream in Lagos.
Among the areas he identified for heightened vigilance between September 19 and 25 were Isheri North, Kara, Itowolo, Ajegunle, Majidun, Ogolonto, parts of Agboyi and other settlements located downstream of Isheri Olofin.
Residents close to rivers, lagoons, wetlands, drainage channels and other water bodies were also advised to follow official flood forecasts and prepare for temporary relocation if the situation worsened.
Wahab said the NiHSA advisory indicated that rising river levels could lead to flooding in vulnerable communities and disrupt important facilities.
READ ALSO:
- Lagos Urges Residents In Flood-Prone Areas To Relocate As Seven-Day Alert Looms
- AU, AFRIMA Unveil Global Calendar for Landmark 10th Edition in Los Angeles
- Shettima To Lead Nigeria’s Delegation To 81st UN General Assembly
- Oluremi Tinubu Calls For Action Against Food Waste
- LASTMA Cautions Lagos Residents Against Skating On Highways
Schools, healthcare centres, markets, farms and places of worship were among the facilities that could be affected by the anticipated flooding.
The commissioner called on local governments, emergency management agencies, community leaders and residents in affected areas to activate their early-warning and emergency response arrangements.
He further urged them to move people, livestock and valuable belongings to safer locations whenever necessary.
Wahab said the state government would continue monitoring rainfall patterns, river levels and other hydrological developments in conjunction with relevant federal agencies.
He added that the government would sustain the cleaning, maintenance and monitoring of drainage infrastructure across Lagos as part of its efforts to reduce flood risks.
The commissioner also appealed to residents to cooperate with the government by avoiding the disposal of refuse in drains, canals and waterways.
He warned that blocked drainage channels could aggravate flooding and slow down the process of water receding after heavy rainfall.
Residents were equally advised against attempting to walk or drive through flooded roads, bridges or areas with fast-moving water.
Those living in locations considered vulnerable were encouraged to make arrangements for temporary relocation whenever official warnings indicated an imminent danger.
Wahab reiterated that protecting lives and property remained the government’s priority and urged residents to treat flood forecasts as important safety information rather than wait for flooding to occur before taking action.
He assured residents that the state would continue deploying measures to minimise the impact of flooding and provide updates as the situation developed.
PUNCH Online reported on Monday that more than 8,000 communities and 4,500 schools across 15 states were identified as being at risk of flooding between September 19 and 25 in the latest National Flood Advisory issued by the NHSA.
The agency warned that rising river levels could result in flooding across vulnerable communities, potentially affecting schools, healthcare facilities, markets, religious buildings and farmlands.
The states identified as most likely to be affected include Imo, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Benue, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Edo, Enugu, Bayelsa, Kogi, Abia, Taraba, Rivers and Lagos.