Residents, Workers Stranded As Heavy Rainfall Floods Lagos Roads [Video]

Heavy rainfall early Wednesday morning has caused widespread flooding in Lagos, making it hard for residents to get to work.

The rain started before many Lagosians woke up, disrupting daily activities and flooding roads. Workers in the commercial capital struggled to reach their workplaces due to the downpour.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the rain, which lasted for hours, led to flooding in residential areas like Ibeju-Lekki and other key locations. Areas affected include Epe, Eredo, Bogije, Labora, Abijon, Oshodi, Sangotedo, Awoyaya, Ibeju-Lekki, and others.

Many residents who braved the rain to go to work were stranded at bus stops. Motorists spent hours on the road, especially from Alapere to the Third Mainland Bridge.

The Iyana-Oworo-Olopomeji area heading to the Third Mainland Bridge was also heavily flooded, causing long traffic jams extending to Alapere.

The rain caused a tree to fall near Airport U-turn in Oshodi. The Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA) quickly cleared the tree to restore traffic flow and ensure public safety.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, explained on his social media that the flooding was due to the intense and prolonged rainfall, combined with a high tidal lagoon level.

He assured residents that the flood would subside in one to two hours as the lagoon’s tidal level decreases, allowing the rainwater to drain.

He wrote, “The Olopo Meji inward 3rd Mainland situation is a flash flood that is due to the high intensity of the rain, long duration rain coupled with high tidal lagoon level at the moment.

“Be rest assured it would go away in about 1-2hour. As the high tidal level of the lagoon goes down, the rain / storm water will be able to discharge into the lagoon.”

The downpour, which began around 3 a.m. on Wednesday, left many residents stranded in their homes and made streets impassable.

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KanyiDaily had reported how a motorcyclist, popularly known as okada rider, was swept away by flood after he refused to let go of his bike and save himself in Oko Oba, Agege, Lagos State.