Torrential rainfall grounds Lagos as floods hit Ikorodu, Lekki

Business and social activities were brought to a halt in Lagos on Monday as torrential early-morning rainfall triggered flash floods that caused gridlock across major roads and submerged several homes in both the Mainland and Island areas of the state.

The heavy downpour, which began around midnight and persisted intermittently into the early hours of Monday, overwhelmed drainage systems and left many roads impassable.

Commuters and motorists were stranded for hours, particularly along flood-prone areas such as Odo Iya Alaro Bridge in Ikorodu, Ikotun, Igando Roads, and Oworonsoki.

Eyewitnesses recounted the challenges of navigating through the rising waters. A motorist, Alhaji Abu, described the chaos at the Odo Iya Alaro axis around 5 a.m., saying: “Since the flood had covered all the potholes on the road, motorists had to be cautious not to be stranded inside the flood.”

Numerous vehicles were seen broken down or stuck in the waterlogged roads, further compounding the already worsening traffic conditions.

The situation forced many commuters to remain at bus stops long after the rain had stopped around 9 a.m., waiting for floodwaters to recede before continuing their journeys.

In the Gberegbe area of Ikorodu, Modupe Akinbiyi, a resident, lamented the recurring flood problem, saying: “We do experience heavy floods each time it rains, particularly during the rainy season. We are worried about this flood. We have sent several complaints to the government and the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources without positive results.”

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The incident follows an earlier warning by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), which had forecast heavy rainfall and potential flash floods in parts of the country, including Lagos.

In its weather outlook released on Sunday, NiMet anticipated thunderstorms and light rains over the southern region, highlighting the possibility of flooding in states like Lagos, Delta, Ogun, and Edo.

Reacting to the impact of the rainfall, Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, assured residents that the state government was prepared for the rainy season.

However, he urged those living in low-lying and flood-prone areas to consider relocating upland to avoid possible loss of life and property.

“Lagos, being a coastal state, with heavy rainfalls, will experience a rise in the lagoon’s water level, which could lead to a tidal lock preventing water discharge from our channels,” Wahab explained.

He also advised motorists and pedestrians against wading through floodwaters, warning that submerged vehicles could be swept away and lives lost in high currents. The commissioner called for increased parental vigilance during the holiday season, cautioning children not to play or swim in floodwaters.

Wahab further appealed to residents not to dump refuse in drainage systems, as clogged drains are a major cause of flash flooding.

He disclosed that the state government is ramping up year-round drainage maintenance and has awarded contracts for the concrete lining of more drainage channels to manage storm water better.