Flood: Lagos alerts residents of Ikoyi, Lekki, Epe, others

Lagos State Government has issued a fresh update to all waterfront residents of highbrow Ikoyi, Lekki, Victoria Island and coastal areas of Epe and Badagry to be wary of back flow due to high tide in the lagoon.

A statement by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tunji Bello, explained that the latest advisory had become necessary due to the high tide of the Lagos Lagoon.

He stressed that the high tide of the lagoon has made it difficult for storm run-off from the various channels to discharge effectively into the lagoon which may cause a stagnation into the streets and major roads until the level of the lagoon subsides to allow for a discharge of the channels

He described the trending video of the supposedly risen water level under the Third Mainland Bridge as fake news, stating that the video only captures the Oworonshoki end of the bridge which, according to him, is normal because the area is a deck on pile.

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He cautioned people especially those on the social media against sending panicky messages across to residents in order to create unnecessary anxiety amongst the people.

The statement advised all the residents of the affected areas in Lagos Island and other coastal areas to monitor the incidental rains regularly, ensure situational awareness at all times, refrain from dumping refuse in the drains and clean their tertiary drains regularly

He reiterated the earlier flood advisory issued by the State to the effect that all those on the banks of Ogun River, especially residents of Ketu, Alapere, Agric, Owode Onirin, Ajegunle, Alagbole, Kara, Isheri Olowora, Araromi, Otun Orisha community, Agiliti, Maidan, Mile 12, Odo Ogun, Owode Elede, Agboyi1, Agboyi II, Agboyi II, and Agboyi III to remain vigilant at this period.

He said that the state has embarked on and is continuing massive drainage clearance and the construction of new channels in addition to continuous deployment of the quick response Emergency Flood Abatement Gang to free up manholes and black spots to ensure optimum capacity of the drains to contain run-offs.