Lagos: Issues Flood Evacuation Directive for Flood-Prone Areas

• The Lagos State Government has issued an evacuation directive for residents in flood-prone communities following a seven-day flood alert from the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NiHSA).
• Commissioner Tokunbo Wahab stated the directive aims to prevent loss of lives and property, urging early relocation to higher ground.
• Vulnerable areas include Eti-Osa, Lagos Island, Oke-Ira Nla in Ajah, Kirikiri, Ilaje Waterfront Jetty, and Jetty Terminal B, with specific communities along the Ogun River on high alert from September 19-25.
• The NiHSA alert also affects 14 other states and warns of rising river levels impacting critical facilities like schools and healthcare centers.
• Residents are advised to monitor forecasts, avoid dumping refuse in drains, and arrange temporary relocation when warnings indicate an imminent threat.

No property is worth risking a life, urging Lagos flood-prone communities not to underestimate the severity of the warnings.

The Lagos State Government has issued a critical Lagos flood evacuation directive, urging residents in identified low-lying and flood-prone communities to immediately relocate to higher ground. This urgent call follows a seven-day flood alert recently issued by the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NiHSA), which highlighted an imminent risk to lives and property across the state. The directive underscores the government's commitment to proactive Lagos disaster management and safeguarding its citizens.

Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, communicated this imperative through a statement released on Monday by Kunle Adeshina, the ministry’s Director of Public Affairs. The NiHSA alert, first issued over the weekend, extends its warning not only to Lagos but also to 14 other states across Nigeria, emphasizing the widespread nature of the potential hydrological threat. Mr. Wahab stressed that the state government is treating the NiHSA advisory with the utmost seriousness, having already intensified monitoring efforts across vulnerable locations.

Specific areas within Lagos have been identified as particularly susceptible to the impending floodwaters. These include Eti-Osa, Lagos Island, Oke-Ira Nla in Ajah, Kirikiri, Ilaje Waterfront Jetty, and Jetty Terminal B. Beyond these, the Commissioner highlighted the need for heightened caution among communities situated along the Ogun River and other significant waterways, noting that intense rainfall and rising water levels in interconnected river systems could severely impact downstream settlements within Lagos.

Between September 19 and 25, several communities downstream of Isheri Olofin, such as Isheri North, Kara, Itowolo, Ajegunle, Majidun, Ogolonto, and parts of Agboyi, are advised to remain on high alert. The NiHSA report further warned that rising river levels pose a threat not only to residential areas but also to critical infrastructure, including schools, healthcare centers, markets, farms, and places of worship. Residents living near rivers, lagoons, wetlands, and drainage channels are strongly encouraged to monitor official flood forecasts and prepare for temporary relocation when flooding becomes imminent.

In response to the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency alert, the Lagos State Government is actively collaborating with relevant federal agencies to continuously monitor river levels, rainfall patterns, and other hydrological developments. Commissioner Tokunbo Wahab called upon affected local governments, emergency management agencies, and community leaders to activate robust early-warning and response mechanisms. This includes facilitating the movement of people, livestock, and valuable possessions to safer locations where necessary, reinforcing the importance of collective action in Lagos disaster management.

Beyond immediate evacuation, the government is sustaining routine cleaning, maintenance, and monitoring of drainage infrastructure across the state. However, Mr. Wahab also appealed to residents for their cooperation in flood mitigation efforts, specifically urging them to refrain from dumping refuse in drains, canals, and waterways. He emphasized that blocked drainage channels exacerbate flooding and prolong the recession of floodwaters, underscoring the critical role of environmental compliance in Lagos. Residents are also cautioned against traversing flooded roads or fast-moving water, with a strong recommendation to arrange temporary relocation upon official warnings of an imminent threat.

The overarching message from the Lagos State Government is a clear prioritization of human life over material possessions. Commissioner Wahab explicitly stated that no property is worth risking a life, urging Lagos flood-prone communities not to underestimate the severity of the warnings. He stressed that early preparation and temporary relocation are the most effective measures to prevent the loss of lives and property, advising residents not to wait until floodwaters are already rising before taking action.

The government's steadfast commitment remains the protection of lives and property. Residents are therefore implored to treat all flood forecasts as critical safety information, acting decisively when signs point to danger. This proactive stance is vital for mitigating the impact of the impending flood season and ensuring the well-being of all individuals within the affected areas.

Lawyers and compliance officers should assess the immediate risks and liabilities for clients with operations or properties in the identified Lagos flood-prone areas, advising on compliance with the government's relocation directive and potential business continuity challenges.

Source: Original reporting via Punch