Floods Leave Motorists, Residents Stranded Across Lagos

Hours of heavy rainfall on Wednesday left several parts of Lagos submerged, crippling vehicular and business activities across the state.

Flood-prone communities such as Maryland, Lekki, Ogba, and Ikorodu were among the hardest hit, with roads submerged and residents struggling to salvage property from waterlogged homes and shops.

Videos circulating on social media showed residents wading through flooded streets, while motorists battled slow traffic and stalled vehicles on key roads.

On Olatunji Street, Maryland, an overflowing canal cut off access to the Mende community. Residents lamented that the area had suffered recurring floods for years, forcing some to relocate. A shop owner, Kalu, said water entered his business premises, while Christiana, a church member, revealed that floodwater destroyed musical instruments at her worship centre.

Commuters also endured hours of gridlock on major roads. A passenger, Tunji Abass, said vehicles “moved at a snail’s pace” through waterlogged stretches, while another resident, Victor Obinna, admitted he sometimes sleeps in his office during the rainy season to avoid being trapped.

The Lagos State Government sympathised with victims, attributing the flash floods to the city’s coastal nature and heavy rainfall. Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, explained that flooding in some areas was worsened by blocked drains, illegal construction on floodplains, and technical challenges with existing drainage systems.

He disclosed that projects, including a pumping station in Lekki, had been awarded to address recurring issues, while warning that illegal structures and obstructions to drainage channels would be demolished.

Wahab appealed to residents to stop dumping refuse in drains and building on floodplains, stressing that flood management required both government intervention and public cooperation.

Although the water receded by Thursday morning, experts estimate that Lagos loses billions annually to flooding, with damages to property, lost man-hours in gridlock, and health risks from waterborne diseases.