On Wednesday, a relentless ten-hour rainfall caused widespread flooding, bringing life to a standstill in Lagos and Ogun states. Businesses and commercial activities were severely affected, and many roads became impassable. The downpour also led to the collapse of a two-storey building in the Mushin area of Lagos, injuring seven people.
The heavy rain, which began around midnight and continued until noon, led to extensive flooding in various parts of Lagos, including Berger, Ikeja, Ogba, Iyana-Oworo, Agege, Ijegun-Isheri Osun, Gbagada, Lagos Island, Eredo, Bojije, Epe, Sangotedo, Ibeju-Lekki, Awoyaya, Labora, and Abijon. Our correspondents visited these areas and observed roads and houses submerged under water.
In Ogun State, places like Atan-Ota, Aseese, Ifo, Sango-Ota, and Ijebu-Ode were also heavily affected, with major roads submerged and passengers stranded. The persistent rain caused significant traffic disruptions, making travel nearly impossible.
Building Collapse in Mushin
In the Mushin area of Lagos, a two-storey building on Cameroon Road collapsed due to the heavy rainfall, injuring seven people. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Authority (LASEMA), confirmed the rescue of the seven victims, who were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. He attributed the collapse to the inclement weather and reassured that search-and-rescue operations were completed, with no further victims found under the rubble.
“The area has been cordoned off, and operations are still ongoing,” Oke-Osanyintolu stated. He urged Lagos residents to remain calm and avoid non-essential travel due to the flash floods across the state.
Schools and Businesses Affected
The flooding also disrupted educational activities, with schools in areas like White Sand Estate, Isheri-Osun, in the Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos, closing for the day. A parent, Atinuke, praised the school’s management for their decision to prioritize student safety. She shared a message from the school stating, “Due to the heavy downpour and a predicted serious rainy weather forecast today, we have decided to close the school and postpone today’s exam.”
Residents of White Sand Estate experienced severe flooding, with water reaching mid-levels in homes, trapping many inside their apartments. The area’s Community Development Public Relations Officer, Johnson Olabode, expressed frustration over the recurring issue, stating, “We are at it again this year. Everywhere is filled with water.”
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Impact on Transportation
The flooding rendered major roads like Majek, Abraham Adesanya, and Awoyaya-Sangotedo impassable, exacerbating traffic issues. Commercial vehicles and motorcycles took advantage of the situation to hike transport fares. Anuoluwapo Atanda, a resident of Pen Cinema, Agege, reported that blocked drainage systems contributed to the flooding, affecting all houses on her street.
A viral video showed hoodlums extorting residents by demanding a N100 levy before allowing them to access an alternate route under the Trade Fair bridge in the Ojo area. Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps officials arrested the individuals involved, and Commissioner for Environment Tokunbo Wahab assured they would be prosecuted.
Flooding in Ogun State
Several communities in Ogun State, including Sango-Ota, Alagbado, Atan, Oju-ore, and Lusada, were submerged by the rain. Residents blamed the flooding on blocked waterways due to indiscriminate waste dumping and construction on drainage rights-of-way. Abayomi Rufai of Atan-Ota reported significant property damage, urging Governor Dapo Abiodun for intervention.
Victoria Ojelana of Ijebu-Ode described how her entire apartment was flooded, causing extensive damage. “The flood was very bad; it entered our house, our kitchen, and even our neighbor’s house,” she said.
Government Response
The Lagos State Government called for calm and urged residents to relocate to higher grounds if necessary. Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Wahab, explained that the state had experienced about nine hours of non-stop rainfall. He assured that the flash floods would recede once the rain subsided and urged residents to avoid wading through floods with their vehicles.
In Ogun State, Commissioner for Environment Ola Oresanya reassured residents, stating, “The flood will appear when there is a downpour and disappear hours later. Residents only have to be careful and ensure that they only go out when it is necessary.”
Broader Impact
The heavy rainfall and resulting flooding affected other regions as well. Benin, the Edo State capital, experienced slight flooding, disrupting vehicular movement. Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, saw light rain showers disrupting commercial activities. In Anambra State, areas like Onitsha and Awka experienced severe gridlock and flooding, with blocked drainages exacerbating the issue.
The extensive flooding has highlighted the urgent need for improved drainage systems and better waste management practices to prevent such disruptions in the future. Residents continue to call on the government for more effective solutions to this recurring problem.