Some residents of Lagos have called on the government following hours of relentless rainfall that left many residents stranded and some homeless.
The heavy downpour that lasted several hours began during the early hours of Monday and rained till the evening. It severely affected several areas in Lagos, including Ikorodu, Lekki, Agege, Surulere, Ajegunle, and Alimosho. The heavy rainfall led to widespread flooding, submerging vehicles and homes, and disrupting daily life activities across the state.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency had on Sunday predicted thundery and rainy weather activities across the nation from Monday to Wednesday, warning of possible flash floods in some areas.
An anonymous resident in Oke-Eletu, Ijede area of the state posted a video that showed the effects of the rain that flooded the whole community, which trapped many residents inside their homes. She called on the government to come to their aid as they could not access their properties nor find their way out of the community.
Another video showed a woman trying to empty her sitting room as she complained about the water that had filled her house.
The State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Adetokunbo Wahab, addressed the situation on his social media platforms.
He acknowledged the viral posts highlighting the plight of affected residents and assured the public that government teams are working around the clock to clean and maintain drainage systems. He also mentioned ongoing efforts to expand the drainage network using concrete-lined channels to better manage runoff.
Wahab stated that “Lagos is naturally vulnerable to tidal lock-up when rising water levels in the lagoon slow down the discharge of runoff. This is further worsened by climate change. We are closely monitoring areas near rivers and lagoons, which are at higher risk of flash floods with strong currents.”
The commissioner urged residents to prioritize safety by keeping children indoors during this holiday period and refrain from dumping refuse into drains, especially during rainfall, as this practice blocks drainage channels and worsens flooding.
