Lagos under water: Heavy rain floods roads, homes, businesses

Several parts of Lagos State were submerged by floodwaters on Sunday following hours of heavy rainfall, leaving major roads inundated, vehicles stranded and residents battling rising water levels in their homes.

The flooding affected both the Lagos Island and Mainland areas, with communities including Mushin, Gbagada, Surulere, Ijesha, Ilupeju, Shomolu, Ikeja, Ikorodu, Oshodi, Victoria Island and parts of Lekki among the hardest hit.

Videos circulating on social media showed roads and expressways completely submerged, with heaps of refuse and debris blocking drainage channels and preventing the free flow of stormwater.

In several locations, commuters were seen wading through knee-deep floodwaters, while many vehicles became trapped after roads were rendered impassable.

Some residents explained that floodwater entered their homes, forcing them to spend Sunday night scooping water from their living rooms in an effort to minimise damage to their property.

Reacting to the situation, the Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said emergency response teams from the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) had been deployed to clear blocked drainage channels and remove accumulated waste in affected areas.

Responding to residents’ complaints on his X handle, Wahab assured Lagosians that the government was taking immediate action.

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“The LAWMA Intervention Team has been notified and will attend to the situation immediately. We appreciate your vigilance and continued support in helping us keep Lagos clean,” he wrote.

In another post, the commissioner stressed that environmental sanitation remains a shared responsibility between the government and residents.

“Achieving a cleaner Lagos is a shared responsibility, and your contribution is truly appreciated. Together, through our collective efforts, we can build a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable city for everyone,” he said.

Wahab attributed the widespread flooding to the above-normal rainfall predicted for 2026 by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), noting that Lagos, because of its coastal location and low-lying terrain, is particularly vulnerable to flooding during prolonged rainfall.

According to him, the current weather pattern aligns with NiMet’s earlier forecast, which warned that the state would experience longer periods of rainfall and increased flooding.

“NiMet had earlier forecast that 2026 would witness above-normal rainfall, with Lagos expected to experience a greater impact due to its coastal geography and low-lying terrain,” Wahab said.

“As predicted, the rainy season has been longer, with prolonged and intense rainfall experienced across many parts of the country.”

The commissioner added that flooding is not unique to Lagos, noting that several states, including Ogun, Osun, Abia, Kogi, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Enugu, Adamawa and parts of northern Nigeria, have also recorded similar incidents during the ongoing rainy season.

Wahab said the Lagos State Government has stepped up efforts to reduce the impact of flooding through continuous desilting and clearing of drainage channels, removal of illegal structures obstructing waterways and enforcement of environmental regulations.

He, however, warned that government interventions alone would not eliminate flooding unless residents also play their part by maintaining proper sanitation practices.

The commissioner urged Lagosians to desist from indiscriminate dumping of refuse into drainage systems and canals, describing blocked waterways as one of the major causes of urban flooding.

“Given NiMet’s forecast, the risks associated with heavy rainfall remain significant,” he said.

“Government will continue to do its part, but safeguarding lives and property also requires the cooperation and collective responsibility of every resident.”

Authorities have advised residents in flood-prone communities to remain vigilant as the rainy season continues, while emergency response agencies remain on standby to respond to incidents arising from further heavy downpours.