Business and vehicular activities were severely disrupted across Lagos on Monday following hours of torrential rainfall that caused flash flooding and widespread traffic congestion throughout the city.
The heavy downpour, which began around midnight and continued intermittently into the morning, left major roads flooded on both the Island and Mainland, stranding motorists and commuters for hours. Many residents abandoned travel plans as vehicles broke down and movement slowed across key routes, including Ikotun, Igando, Oworonsoki, and parts of Ikorodu.
Commuters navigating the Odo Iya Alaro Bridge in Ikorodu reported difficult conditions, as floodwaters covered potholes and made the road nearly impassable. “Motorists had to be cautious not to get stranded inside the flood,” said one driver, Alhaji Abu.
Several vehicles were seen submerged or stuck in the water, further worsening the gridlock. Many commuters remained at bus stops well after the rain had subsided, waiting for water levels to recede.
Residents of flood-prone areas, such as Gberegbe in Ikorodu, expressed frustration with repeated flooding and called for urgent government intervention. “We’ve sent several complaints to the government and the Ministry of Environment without any positive result,” said Modupe Akinbiyi, a resident of the area.
The flooding followed an earlier weather warning by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), which forecast thunderstorms and rainfall in Lagos and other parts of the country from Monday to Wednesday. NiMet had also warned of potential flash floods in areas like Oyo, Ogun, Edo, and Delta States.
In response to the flooding, Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, urged calm and warned residents in low-lying areas to consider relocating when necessary. He attributed the flooding to Lagos’s coastal geography and rising lagoon water levels due to climate change, which can cause tidal lock and impede drainage.
Wahab also advised against wading through floodwaters, citing safety risks, and cautioned residents not to dump refuse into drainage systems, which contributes to blockages and exacerbates flooding.
He assured that the government is intensifying efforts to clear and maintain drainage channels and has awarded contracts for new infrastructure to better manage rainfall runoff. However, he noted that prolonged or unusually heavy rain, as experienced on Monday, would still require collective vigilance and action.