Heavy rainfall on Wednesday left several Lagos communities flooded, paralysing businesses and traffic, as the state government blamed illegal structures and poor waste disposal for worsening the impact.
LAGOS — Vehicular and business activities were paralysed across parts of Lagos on Wednesday after hours of heavy rainfall triggered flash floods that submerged several communities.
Flood-prone areas including Maryland, Lekki, Ogba, and Ikorodu were worst hit, as residents and shop owners lamented the destruction of homes, businesses, and worship centres.
Videos shared online showed people wading through waterlogged streets, while vehicles broke down, worsening traffic gridlock.
On Olatunji Street, Maryland, a canal overflow cut off access to Mende community. A resident, Chinasa Nnadi, said, “This has been happening for years now, and it’s very hard for vehicles to go in or out… some even relocate because of the flood.”
A business owner, Kalu, and a church member, Christiana, reported severe damage to shops and musical instruments.
Commuters spent hours in gridlock across flooded roads, with some, like Victor Obinna in Ikate, resorting to sleeping in offices to avoid the ordeal.
In response, Environment Commissioner Tokunbo Wahab said Lagos, as a coastal city, remained flood-prone but assured that ongoing investments in drainage and pumping projects would reduce risks.
He blamed flooding in some areas on illegal construction and indiscriminate dumping of refuse, pledging strict enforcement of environmental laws.