Lagos State Government on Saturday urged residents of the state, especially those living in low-lying areas, to be on alert because, with the intensity of the rainfall already experienced, many areas will encounter flash floods.

A statement signed by the State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, warned that the forecast gathered from the State’s weather stations for today and the next few days has geostationary imagery showing thunderstorms and widespread convective rainfall with dense cloud cover.

He added that what the geostationary imagery means in simple language is that many areas will experience very heavy rainfalls and flash floods which the people have been alerted about earlier in the year.

According to him, 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.

He cautioned all residents who may not have serious businesses to conduct outside their homes during the rains to tarry and wait till it subsides before they go out to be able to determine the intensity and how to prepare.

He advised parents to watch over their wards and school children, many of whom are still on mid-term holidays, so that they do not go outside to play in the rain or swim in the flash floods.

Wahab also reiterated the earlier warning to motorists and pedestrians not to wade through floods, as there is a tendency that vehicles may be submerged and people swept away with such heavy floods.

He explained to all residents that Lagos, being a coastal state, with the heavy rainfalls, the level of water in the lagoon is bound to rise and will result in a tidal lock, which will prevent discharge from all collectors.

He advised residents not to engage in disposing of their refuse into the drains as the rains fall, warning that there are consequences for such acts and the refuse will end up blocking the drains and causing flash floods.

The Commissioner said all the drains in the state are being cleaned and maintained on a year-round basis to be able to contain runoff from rainfalls, warning, however, that whenever more than usual rain falls, all concerted efforts are required to mitigate its effects.