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The Lagos State Government has warned residents of the potential for flash flooding following intense rainfall, described as the heaviest in months, experienced last Thursday.
Tokunbo Wahab, the State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, raised the alarm over the weekend, noting that the combination of significant rainfall and water releases from Oyan Dam has overwhelmed the drainage systems, making it difficult for channels to discharge into rivers.
Wahab explained, “The intensity of the rains between Wednesday and Thursday has caused water levels in major rivers to rise, which has delayed the drainage system’s ability to function effectively. The situation is only just beginning to improve.”
He emphasized the urgency of the advisory due to recent weather data collected from monitoring stations across the state, indicating that Thursday’s rainfall produced the highest values recorded this year.
“In the past few weeks, we have observed a sharp rise in water levels across our four gauge stations. This is compounded by the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority’s release of water from two gates of the Oyan Dam,” Wahab said.
Wahab provided specific examples, noting that at Kara, the water level reached 2.2 meters, nearing the flood threshold. In Isheri-North GRA, the level recorded 20.015 meters, exceeding the flood limit. Additionally, Majidun experienced its peak water level on October 14th at 1.466 meters.
He further explained that downstream areas, such as Falomo, are also at risk of flooding due to ongoing rainfall and the dam releases.
Data indicates that October has seen higher water levels compared to earlier months, with consistent spikes in both daily and hourly readings.
Wahab urged residents in low-lying areas, especially those along the Ogun River, to prioritize their safety by relocating to higher ground. He warned that more rain is expected in the remaining weeks of the month, and people should take precautions to avoid loss of life and property.
