Residents in Lagos are expressing dismay as flooding ravaged the city following heavy rainfall, disrupting daily life and causing significant discomfort.
The downpour on Wednesday persisted for hours, resulting in flooded homes where water rose to mid-level heights inside residences.
This persistent flooding has left numerous residents stranded, unable to even sit comfortably as their living spaces remain submerged.
Such occurrences have sadly become commonplace during Lagos’ rainy season, leading to widespread disruptions in transportation, businesses, and daily routines.
Affected areas include Epe, Eredo, Bogije, Labora, Abijon, Sangotedo, Awoyaya, Ibeju-Lekki, Iyana-Oworo, Olopo Meji, LASU/Iba-Ojo road, and others.
Residents interviewed attributed the flooding to blockages in waterways caused by indiscriminate waste disposal in their communities.
Mr. Rasheed Ayobami from Labora in Ibeju-Lekki described how his home was inundated due to the absence of a functional drainage system in his area.
“There’s a significant flow of water into my compound, completely submerging the house. I reside in a new development lacking proper drainage, which exacerbates flooding, forcing us out of our homes,” he lamented.
Seyi Arowosaye echoed these concerns, highlighting perennial flooding along the Ibeju-Lekki Expressway due to clogged drains in the urban area.
Residents are calling on local authorities to clear drains promptly and urging their neighbors to cease dumping waste in water channels to mitigate future floods.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Bola Fadugba shared her distress over the flooding’s impact in Labora, emphasizing the urgent need for drainage infrastructure improvements.
“I reside in Labora, but during the rainy season, my family relocates to my sister’s home in Eputu to avoid the floods. The lack of drainage here has allowed flooding to take over our houses. The government must find a lasting solution to this recurring challenge,” she asserted.
The flooding has also resulted in increased transport costs, as recounted by Mr. Oluwaseun Olatunbosun and Miss Favour Blessing, who described how commuting expenses surge during rainy periods.
Schools and workplaces are not spared from the disruptions, with Mrs. Juliet Okonkwo highlighting how rainfall causes delays for students and teachers alike.
Other Lagosians like architect Mr. Shola Ayodele are grappling with slowed work progress during the rainy season, exacerbated by logistical challenges faced by site engineers.
Meanwhile, The Lagos state government has said that the flood at the Olopomeji section of Iyana Oworo has now been cleared.
The commissioner of environment and water resources, Tokunbo Wahab made the announcement on his official X account.
He wrote: “The EFAG team from the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources @LasgMOE were deployed to monitor/clear the flash flood at the Olopomeji section of Iyana Oworo.
“The road is now free from rainwater. Thank you for your patience and understanding.”