As Floods Wreak Havoc, Lagos Govt Lists Areas People Need to Immediately Evacuate
- Tokunbo Wahab, Lagos' commissioner for the environment, said based on the prediction from NiMet, the state will have much more rains in 2025 than 2024
- Wahab explained that for those who stay on the low land of Lagos, they may have to move to the upland pending when the rain recedes
- The Lagos official stated that the state has a Drainage Master Plan for the next 25 years, which is reviewed every two years
Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering metro.
Ikeja, Lagos state - As flash floods overrun some communities, the Lagos state government on Tuesday, August 5, said there should be an urgent evacuation of some residents.
Legit.ng reports that the Lagos government attributed the current flooding risk to the state’s coastal geography and the broader impacts of climate change.
Tokunbo Wahab, commissioner for the environment and water resources, stated this while speaking in an interview with Channels Television, monitored by Legit.ng.
Legit.ng had reported how several parts of Lagos were submerged on Monday, August 4, following hours of rainfall that disrupted commercial activities and left many residents counting their losses.
The downpour, which began around midnight, affected Mushin, Ikorodu, Lekki, Oke Arin, Adeniji, Apongbon, and Isheri/Bucknor..
In a viral video in Ijede, Ikorodu, a woman was seen appealing to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to intervene and address the persistent flooding in her community.
At Isheri Osun-Bucknor axis, residents lamented the worsening state of the Isolo–Isheri Road, saying the rainfall had compounded their woes.
In Mushin, the story was not different. Streets and compounds were submerged.
Asked on Tuesday night, August 5, which area of Lagos state do people need to immediately evacuate, Wahab responded:
“Those around the Ajilete axis of Lagos need to move. Those around the coastal line of Ikorodu, that is around Majidun, they have to move. Some areas around the Lekki corridor.”
The interview can be watched below:
Lagos areas people need to evacuate:
- Ajilete axis of Lagos.
- Coastal line of Ikorodu, around Majidun.
- Some areas around the Lekki corridor.
Flooding challenge: More rains feared
Meteorologists warn that more rain is expected in the coming days, raising fears of further flooding across the region.
Flooding is a regular threat during Nigeria’s six-month rainy season, but experts say the frequency and severity of these disasters are increasing due to climate change, unregulated construction, and poor drainage infrastructure.
In 2024, more than 1,200 people died and up to two million were displaced by similar disasters across Nigeria.
NiMet predicts widespread thunderstorms, rainfall
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) issued a weather outlook forecasting thundery and rainy conditions across the country from Monday to Wednesday, with warnings of potential flash floods in several states.
The forecast highlighted the likelihood of moderate to heavy rainfall and urged residents to take precautionary measures.
NiMet projected morning thunderstorms on Monday across parts of Adamawa, Taraba, Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Jigawa, Kano and Katsina states.
Source: Legit.ng
