'Two swept away, nine rescued in Lagos flood...' 'Another building in Lagos caved in after rainfall...' 'Lagos rains: houses, streets flooded...' were headlines that made the rounds on social media today-September 12, 2022, following a four-hour downpour in Lagos state.

The worst of the stormwater flooding is about to hit the state. This flood isn't just a result of climate change; it's an Urban/Surface Water Flood (Pluvial), which occurs when buildings and pavement limit the amount of water that can be absorbed into the ground in urban areas, resulting in significantly higher volumes of surface runoff that storm sewer systems must manage. When drainage systems in developed areas are insufficient to transport runoff safely. Localized flooding occurs due to debris clogging storm drains or other drainage structures.

Kate Henshaw, an award-winning actress, also posted about the flooding on Twitter today. This brings up an old question for our Dear Lagos Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, What long-term stormwater management and control strategies are you putting in place to protect Lagos residents from flooding?

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