Heavy rain paralyzes Lagos, flood submerges vehicles and leaves motorists stranded

A torrential downpour paralyzed businesses in several parts of Lagos on Monday, leaving motorists and commuters stranded as floodwaters submerged vehicles and triggered traffic jams on major roads.

The worst-hit areas include Ikoyi, Lekki, Victoria Island and Oworonshoki, where overflowing floodwaters have made several roads impassable and forced many residents to abandon their vehicles.

Videos circulating on social media showed long queues of stopped vehicles, with some motorists trapped for hours as pedestrians waded through knee-deep water to reach their destinations.

Residents described the rains as some of the heaviest in recent weeks, saying they disrupted business activities, delayed travel and reduced productivity across Nigeria’s commercial hub.

Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo, reacting to the flooding along Bourdillon Road, expressed shock at the situation in a video shared on social media.

“Oh boy, you see Bourdillon,” he exclaimed as he filmed the flooded street.

In another viral video, a frustrated motorist complained about recurring floods in the state.

“This is part of the threat we are experiencing in Lagos. Flash floods everywhere. I have been stuck in traffic for the last two hours. Everywhere is blocked. Cars are submerged and people are walking through the flood,” he said.

Some commuters blamed the persistent flooding on ongoing constructions related to the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, while others blamed the situation on inadequate drainage infrastructure.

A resident, Abel Kalu, who shared footage from Ikoyi, said poor drainage was responsible for the recurring floods.

“This is Ikoyi, Lagos. There are no drainage systems on these roads, and that’s why they flood every time it rains,” he wrote.

Reacting to the development, Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said the flooding was caused by a significant rise in the water level of the lagoon.

According to him, the lagoon had risen by about a meter, preventing rainwater from flowing freely through the drainage channels into the lagoon.

“The flooding currently experienced in some parts of Lagos is largely attributable to a significant rise in the lagoon’s water level, which has risen by approximately one metre,” Wahab said.

He explained that high water levels slowed the discharge of rainwater, causing temporary flooding in some locations.

The commissioner, however, assured residents that the flood waters will gradually recede as rainfall decreases and the lagoon level drops.

He urged Lagos residents to remain calm and exercise caution, adding that relevant government agencies were monitoring the situation and implementing measures to reduce the impact.

Meanwhile, the Lagos operational office of the National Emergency Management Agency has conducted a flood impact assessment in Surulere following calls for action by the MP representing the constituency, Lanre Okunlola.

The assessment covered the communities of Orile, Coker, Aguda, Itire, Ikate and Ijesha to determine the extent of the damage and identify affected families.

NEMA said several homes and business premises were inundated, causing damage to property, disrupting livelihoods and restricting movement.

The agency attributed the flooding to heavy rains, blocked drainage channels and poor maintenance of drainage infrastructure.

According to the agency, affected residents have appealed for food, relief materials and improved drainage systems to reduce future flooding.

NEMA expressed solidarity with the victims and assured them that its findings would be forwarded to the relevant authorities to facilitate humanitarian assistance.

The agency also advised residents to keep drainage channels free of waste, avoid indiscriminate waste disposal and promptly report emergencies to the relevant authorities.

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