The Lagos government has urged residents in low-lying areas to be alert following a heavy downpour that lasted over 12 hours and resulted in flooding in some parts of the state.

In a statement on Monday, the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, assured residents that the state government has implemented measures against flooding.

Mr Wahab said, “Lagos State government on Monday called for calm from all residents of the state as the state has experienced heavy rainfall in the last 12 hours with an assurance that the state has put in place resilient infrastructure to combat flash flooding.”

The commissioner “urged all those living in low-lying areas to be on alert because, with the intensity of the rainfall already experienced, many of these areas will encounter flash floods.”

He stated, “All areas that are abutting the rivers and lagoons in Lagos are also at risk of experiencing flash floods, which may come with high currents.”

The commissioner cited a new weather advisory by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency on Monday, which warned of heavy rainfall and thunderstorms for the next three days, stating that it is not impossible for parts of the state to experience flash flooding.

“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,” he warned.

He reiterated an earlier advisory to motorists and pedestrians against wading through such heavy floods.

Mr Wahab further warned residents against improper waste disposal, noting that the state is intensifying the cleaning and maintenance of drainage channels.