Heavy rain triggers flash floods, gridlock across Lagos
By Olasunkanmi Akoni
LAGOS — Motorists, commuters and residents were left stranded on Sunday after a torrential downpour triggered flash floods across several parts of Lagos, causing severe traffic gridlock and leaving many vehicles trapped on flooded roads.
The heavy rainfall, which began around noon and subsided at about 3 p.m., inundated major roads across the metropolis, disrupting movement and damaging vehicles.
Affected roads included the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Ikorodu Road, Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, Oshodi, Agege, Ikeja, Alimosho, Obalende and the Lekki-Epe Expressway, among other areas.
Several vehicles broke down after becoming submerged in floodwaters, while motorists and commuters lamented the disruption to their journeys.
One of the affected motorists, Johnson Alaba, who plies the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, blamed the flooding on blocked drainage channels.
“The blocked drainage channels worsened the flooding situation. The entire road is submerged and there is no movement. The drainage channel is not functional here,” he said.
The flooding followed an earlier forecast by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), which predicted thunderstorms and widespread rainfall across the country and warned of possible flash floods in vulnerable areas.
Government urges calm
Reacting to the situation, Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, urged residents not to panic, describing the incident as temporary flash flooding that would recede within a few hours.
He explained that such occurrences are common in coastal cities during periods of intense rainfall and assured residents that the state’s flood control measures remain effective.
“Let me assure you that our state will continue to reap the benefits of careful and rigorous planning, as our flood control measures are being stepped up to contain imminent rainfall,” Wahab said.
According to him, the state government has continued to implement an all-year-round drainage maintenance programme alongside a sustainable solid waste management system to minimise flooding.
He added that Lagos would continue to collaborate with relevant agencies to strengthen flood control efforts.
“It is only when such floods remain on the roads for several hours that we can report that a particular area is flooded. I therefore wish to plead with the media to educate the public and help dispel panic,” he said.
The commissioner also explained that high tidal movements often prevent drainage channels from discharging stormwater into the lagoon, resulting in temporary flash flooding.
“We all need to be aware of another contributory factor to flooding, which is the rise in lagoon water levels. Whenever there is high tidal movement, it may block the discharge points of drainage channels until the water level recedes.
“Such occurrences also cause backflow, resulting in flash flooding. But once the lagoon water level drops, the stormwater is immediately discharged and our roads become free again,” he explained.
Wahab appealed to residents to avoid activities that contribute to flooding, including indiscriminate waste disposal, illegal land reclamation, encroachment on drainage channels and the erection of structures within drainage setbacks.
He attributed the reduction in severe flooding witnessed in recent years, despite persistent rainfall, to sustained government investment in drainage infrastructure and strict enforcement of environmental regulations.
“Resilience and intentional enforcement have been responsible for the improved drainage system in Lagos,” the commissioner stated.
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