With heavy rains showing no signs of slowing, the Lagos State Government has issued a strong warning to residents in flood-prone communities to relocate immediately to safer grounds. Areas particularly at risk include parts of Lekki, Ikorodu, and Ajegunle, which have already experienced serious flooding in recent days.

Speaking during a live appearance on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme, Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, sounded the alarm: “People in low-lying areas like Ajegunle (Ajilete axis), Majidun in Ikorodu, and certain parts of Lekki must move now to avoid disaster.”

While areas such as Epe, Mushin, and Ikeja were deemed safe for now, Wahab advised caution for those living around the Isheri-OPIC axis, warning that Lagos remains highly vulnerable to flooding due to its coastal geography and the worsening effects of climate change.

According to forecasts by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Lagos is expected to experience significantly higher rainfall this year than in 2024, raising the risk of prolonged flooding across the state.

On Monday, many parts of the state were brought to a standstill as intense rainfall that began Sunday night submerged entire streets, homes, and vehicles. Viral videos circulating online show residents wading through waist-high water, while businesses were forced to shut down due to inaccessible roads and power outages.

Wahab acknowledged the growing frustration but urged residents to remain calm, noting that the government is ramping up drainage clearing efforts and working to expand water channels to cope with the overflow.

“We won’t deceive Lagosians—flash floods will happen,” he said. “But our responsibility is to build resilient infrastructure and reduce the damage. When nature acts, we can only mitigate.”

He also appealed to the public to take personal responsibility by clearing gutters, avoiding waste dumping in drainages, and heeding early warnings from emergency agencies.