The intense rainfall that occurred on Tuesday primarily affected the Command and Ipaja communities in Lagos. According to Mr. Ibrahim Farinloye, the Lagos Territorial Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the damage was observed in around 151 houses.
According to Farinloye, a preliminary assessment of the affected regions found that residents were evacuated from 23 houses in Oke Ishagun, 35 houses in Isale Aboru, 29 in Ikola Community, and 15 in Olubodun Majiyagbe-Ajayi. Other affected neighbourhoods were 12 homes on Makinde Street, 16 on Olokowo Street, and 21 on Adeola Street, among others.
Farinloye promised that NEMA, in partnership with relevant state MDAs, is actively working to mitigate the flood’s impact on impacted residents. He emphasised Lagos State’s commitment to improving safety for its inhabitants.
The heavy rain on Tuesday, combined with a rainstorm earlier in the week, serves as a warning for what to expect when the 2024 rainy season begins, Farinloye said. He emphasised the necessity of disaster risk reduction initiatives and encouraged people to follow flood protection precautions.
What You Should Know
Fortunately, there were no recorded casualties or injuries from the flooding. Farinloye expressed gratitude for this and emphasised the importance of taking proactive actions to avoid repeat disasters.
Meanwhile, NEMA’s Director-General, Alhaji Mustapha Habib Ahmed, urged Nigerians to proactively clear and desilt drainage systems. He urged Community Development Associations (CDAs) to play an important role in coordinating neighbourhood activities to develop safer communities.
Ahmed also urged municipal governments to impose punishment against corporations that obstruct drains surrounding their offices. He emphasised the importance of prosecuting residents who dump waste in storm drains in compliance with environmental legislation.
The director-general praised Lagos State for taking decisive efforts, which included demolishing structures that obstructed drainage after the 2023 rainy season. He urged other state governments to follow suit, taking strong measures to improve environmental safety.