A 12-hour period of heavy rainfall has sent many residents of Lagos State into panic mode on Monday, prompting an assurance from the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources to allay their fears.

According to a statement by the Director Public Affairs, Kunle Adeshina, the state has put in place resilient infrastructure to combat flash flooding.

Adeshina said the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, informed residents that a new weather advisory from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, issued on Monday, warned of heavy rainfall and thunderstorms for the next three days.

He stated that some parts of the state can experience flash flooding due to the inability of the major collectors to contain the runoff resulting from the very heavy rainfalls.

He reminded residents that the peculiar nature of Lagos as a coastal city and the effects of climate change make it susceptible to the vagaries of flash flooding, asking them not to panic.

He explained to all residents that, being a coastal state, Lagos, with its heavy rainfall, is likely to experience a rise in the level of water in the lagoon, which will result in a tidal lock, preventing discharge from all collectors.

According to him, all areas adjacent to the rivers and lagoons in Lagos are also at risk of experiencing flash floods, which may be accompanied by high currents.

In view of the holiday period that most pupils and students are in now, he called for extra vigilance so that they do not go outside to play in the rain or swim in the flash floods.

The commissioner also reiterated the earlier advisory to motorists and pedestrians not to wade through floods, as there is a tendency for vehicles to be submerged and people to be swept away in such heavy floods.

He warned residents not to dispose of their refuse into the drains as the rains fall, warning that there are consequences for such actions and that the refuse will end up blocking the drains, causing flash floods.

The commissioner said the state is intensifying the year round cleaning and maintenance of all drainage channels as well as awarding contracts for the concrete lining of new ones to be able to contain run off from rainfalls, warning however that whenever more than usual rain falls as Lagos has witnessed in the last 12 hours plus happen, all concerted efforts are required to checkmate its effects.

ASA