Lagos: Heavy flooding caused by rising lagoon level

The Lagos government says the heavy flooding in the state was caused by the rising level of the lagoon.

On Wednesday, torrential rain, which began in the early hours of the day, submerged cars and houses, leaving commuters and workers stranded in many parts of Lagos.

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In a statement, Tokunbo Wahab, the Lagos commissioner for environment and water resources, urged residents to remain calm.

Tokunbo said the state government has deployed officials of the emergency flood abatement gang to flooded areas to clear out the blockages.

The commissioner explained that the non-stop rainfall experienced in Lagos on Wednesday and the heavy downpour that the state has been experiencing daily since last week resulted in the level rise of the lagoon.

Wahab added that the flash floods that inundated areas like Iyana Oworo, linking the Third Mainland, and several other areas would recede once the rains abated and the level of the lagoon goes down.

He urged those in low-lying areas to relocate to higher ground to safeguard lives and properties.

The commissioner also advised residents to desist from wading through floods with their vehicles, noting that it takes only a foot of flowing water with a high tide to sweep away a car, irrespective of the number of occupants.