Flood Risk Warning: NEMA Expands Preparedness Efforts Across Lagos High-Risk Areas

Flood Risk Warning: NEMA Expands Preparedness Efforts Across Lagos High-Risk Areas

The National Emergency Management Agency (National Emergency Management Agency) has stepped up flood preparedness operations across Lagos State, concentrating efforts on communities identified as highly vulnerable in the 2026 seasonal flood forecast.

The Head of Operations at NEMA’s Lagos Territorial Office, Mr Mohammed Olatunde, disclosed this while speaking on ongoing interventions aimed at reducing flood impact during the rainy season.

He explained that early warning data from the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency showed that areas such as Badagry and Epe could experience intense rainfall with a high likelihood of flooding.

According to him, other parts of the state, including Alimosho, Ikeja, and Surulere, are also at risk of flash floods due to heavy downpours, while Ikorodu and Isheri may be affected by water releases from the Oyan Dam.

Olatunde noted that the agency has adopted targeted and community-based alert systems rather than relying on general warnings.

He said technical flood advisories are now simplified and shared directly with community leaders through SMS, WhatsApp groups, and phone calls, especially in high-risk local government areas.

He added that emergency volunteers and grassroots sensitisation teams are actively engaging residents across vulnerable communities in Lagos.

NEMA is also working closely with the Lagos State Government, including the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency and the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, to strengthen drainage systems, improve waste management, and enhance public awareness.

He stressed that blocked drainage channels remain a major trigger of urban flooding, noting that clearing primary and secondary waterways has become a key priority ahead of peak rainfall.

The agency also highlighted ongoing collaboration with stakeholders to ensure timely delivery of flood-risk information to at-risk communities.

Olatunde further pointed to indiscriminate waste disposal and construction on floodplains as major human factors worsening flood situations in Lagos.

He said enforcement actions are being supported to discourage such practices while commending the state’s renewed monthly environmental sanitation exercise, which he described as vital for keeping drainage systems functional.

He urged residents to actively participate in sanitation efforts, warning that community cooperation remains essential in reducing flood hazards and preventing disease outbreaks linked to poor environmental conditions.