HEAVY RAINFALL PARALYSES LAGOS AS FLOODING SUBMERGES ROADS, STRANDS MOTORISTS
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
Commercial activities were disrupted across several parts of Lagos on Monday after a torrential downpour triggered widespread flooding, leaving motorists and commuters stranded while causing severe traffic gridlock across major roads.
The worst-hit areas included Ikoyi, Lekki, Victoria Island and Oworonshoki, where floodwaters submerged roads and partially engulfed several vehicles.
Videos shared on social media and monitored showed long queues of stationary vehicles, with some motorists trapped for hours as pedestrians waded through knee-deep floodwaters to reach their destinations.
Residents described the rainfall as one of the heaviest experienced in recent weeks, saying it disrupted movement, delayed business activities and significantly affected productivity across the state.
Among those who reacted was Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo, who expressed shock over the flooding along Bourdillon Road in a video shared on Galaxy Television’s Facebook page.
“Oh, guys, see the Bourdillon,” she exclaimed while filming the flooded road.
In another video shared by Television Continental on YouTube, a frustrated motorist lamented the recurring flooding across the state.
“This is part of the menace we are experiencing in Lagos. Flash floods everywhere. I have been stuck in traffic for the past two hours.
“This is the simple reason everywhere is blocked. There is nowhere to go. We’ve all been stranded for the past two hours. Which way to go, Lagos? It is becoming crazy. Cars are submerged in water and people are trekking through the flood,” he said.
Some commuters blamed the persistent flooding on ongoing construction associated with the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
“This is the effect of the coastal road,” one passenger alleged in a separate video.
Another video shared on X by Abel Kalu showed motorists cautiously navigating a heavily flooded road in Ikoyi.
“This is Ikoyi, Lagos. I can tell you for a fact that there are no drainage systems on these roads, and that is why it floods anytime it drizzles,” he wrote.
Reacting to the development, the Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, attributed the flooding to a significant rise in the lagoon water level.
In a statement posted on his X handle on Monday, Wahab explained that the lagoon level had risen by about one metre, preventing stormwater from flowing freely into it.
“The flooding currently being experienced in some parts of Lagos is largely attributable to a significant rise in the lagoon water level, which has increased by approximately one metre.
“This elevated lagoon level is impeding the effective discharge of stormwater from drainage channels into the lagoon, resulting in temporary flooding in some areas.
“As rainfall subsides and the lagoon water level gradually recedes, the accumulated stormwater on affected roads and streets is expected to drain off.
“We appeal to Lagosians to remain patient and exercise caution while the situation normalises. Relevant government agencies are closely monitoring developments and will continue to implement appropriate measures to mitigate the impact,” he said.
Meanwhile, the National Emergency Management Agency’s Lagos Operations Office conducted a flood impact assessment in Surulere communities following the downpour.
According to a statement issued by the agency, the assessment was carried out following a request for intervention by the lawmaker representing the constituency, Lanre Okunlola.
The exercise covered Orile, Coker, Aguda, Itire, Ikate and Ijesha communities to determine the extent of damage, identify affected households and assess the immediate humanitarian needs of residents.
NEMA said several homes and business premises were inundated, resulting in damage to household property, disruption of livelihoods and restricted movement within the affected communities.
The agency attributed the flooding to heavy rainfall, blocked drainage channels and poor maintenance of drainage infrastructure.
It added that affected residents appealed for food items, relief materials and improved drainage systems to reduce the impact of future flooding.
“NEMA sympathised with the affected residents and assured them that the assessment findings would be forwarded to the appropriate authorities to facilitate necessary humanitarian intervention,” the agency stated.
The agency also urged residents to keep drainage channels free of refuse, avoid indiscriminate waste disposal and promptly report emergencies to the appropriate authorities.
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