Beyond the Deluge: Mitigating Flood Risks in Lagos for Sustainable Urban Development

Written by Blessing Taiwo (TGED FOUNDATION)

Lagos, Nigeria’s bustling commercial center, is dealing with a recurring threat: floods. The city’s vulnerability to flooding, worsened by growing urbanization and poor infrastructure, creates severe issues for both citizens and economy. Lagos, located on the Gulf of Guinea coast, is frequently flooded, especially during the rainy season from April to October. The city’s low-lying geography, along with inadequately maintained drainage infrastructure, exacerbates the situation.

For the year 2024, flood incidents occurred relatively early. According to the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), more than 60% of Lagos citizens are exposed to floods, with an estimated 1.5 million people affected each year.

Lagos’ flood-prone areas include Eti-Osa, Elegushi, Apapa, Ajeromi-Ifelodun, Surulere, Ketu, and Ikorodu. According to Ibrahim Farinloye, the Lagos Territorial Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the flood in the early hours of Tuesday, February 20, 2024, caused havoc on the Command and Ipaja neighborhoods in Lagos, affecting roughly 151 dwellings. The impacted locations included Makinde Street (12 houses), Olokowo Street (16 houses), and Adeola Street (21 houses), among others.

As a consequence of the strong signs of what to expect with the start of the 2024 rainy season, catastrophe risk reduction methods must be implemented, as well as flood protection measures.

Several reasons contribute to flooding susceptibility in various places in Lagos, including;

• Inadequate Drainage Infrastructure: Lagos’ fast urbanization has outpaced the construction of drainage infrastructure, causing runoff to accumulate after heavy rains. According to a study from the Lagos State Government, just 30% of the city’s drainage lines are operational, resulting in extensive water logging and flooding.
• Informal Settlements and Land Reclamation: The spread of informal settlements on wetlands and floodplains obstructs natural drainage patterns, exacerbating flooding. Furthermore, land reclamation initiatives along the coast disturb natural drainage patterns, heightening the danger of flooding.
• Poor Waste Management: Improper disposal of solid waste, such as plastic bags and debris, clogs drains and rivers, reducing water flow and increasing flooding. Plastic garbage, in particular, presents a considerable difficulty due to its non-biodegradability and extensive dispersion.

The implications of flooding in Lagos go beyond the immediate damage to infrastructure and property. Flood-affected populations frequently endure displacement, loss of shelter, and damage of livelihoods, especially in low-income neighborhoods. Residents of informal communities face recurring cycles of relocation and loss, making them especially susceptible. Furthermore, floodwaters get polluted with sewage, chemicals, and other pollutants, raising the danger of waterborne illnesses including cholera and typhoid fever. Stagnant water offers a breeding environment for mosquitoes, increasing the risk of malaria and other vector-borne infections.

Flooding also causes disruptions in transportation networks, commerce, and industry, resulting in financial losses and misery. Businesses, markets, and agricultural operations are all negatively impacted, threatening the city’s economic resiliency and growth potential.

To address the flooding concerns in Lagos state, a multifaceted strategy is required. There is a need to –

1. Invest in rehabilitating and expanding drainage systems, including channel desilting, new drain construction, and infrastructure maintenance. Use green infrastructure solutions like rain gardens and permeable pavements to improve water absorption and decrease runoff.
2. Implement sustainable land use practices to protect flood-prone regions and encourage resilient development. Enforce building rules and zoning restrictions that limit construction in floodplains and coastal zones, while prioritizing the preservation of natural wetlands and buffer zones.
3. Develop comprehensive measures to prevent solid waste accumulation in drainage channels and aquatic bodies. Encourage garbage segregation, recycling, and community clean-up efforts to reduce the impact of plastic pollution on floods.
4. Incorporate climate resilience measures into urban development projects, such as flood-resistant infrastructure and early warning systems for severe weather occurrences. Increase community understanding and readiness for climate-related dangers through education and training initiatives.
5.  Increase institutional capacity for flood control and cooperation between government agencies, civil society groups, and the corporate sector. Encourage community participation and engagement in flood risk reduction projects, ensuring that measures are both culturally relevant and sustainable.

Lagos State, Nigeria continues to experience the consequences of floods, necessitating immediate action to minimize its effects and prevent future recurrence. When the underlying reasons are addressed, Lagos may become a more resilient and sustainable metropolis for present and future generations.

References:

1. Lagos State Government. (2022). Lagos State Infrastructure Master Plan. Lagos: Lagos State Government.
2. Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA). (2021). Annual Report on Flood Incidents in Lagos State.
3. United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR). (2020). Urban Flood Risk Management in Africa: Challenges and Opportunities. Geneva: UNDRR.
4. World Bank. (2018). Nigeria: Building Resilience to Natural Disasters. Washington, DC: World Bank.
5. Zevenbergen, C., van Herk, S., Rijke, J., & Ashley, R. (2018). The Role of Flood Resilience in Urban Water Management. Journal of Flood Risk Management, 11(1), S715-S725.