Nigerians residing in Lagos on Wednesday lamented the persistent heavy downpours that caused floods and gridlock in many parts of the state.
Lagos is currently experiencing constant rainfall which has grounded many activities.
Videos and pictures posted online show the extent of the flooding in different parts of Lagos on Wednesday morning.
The downpour which began around 3 a.m has left many residents stranded in their homes and rendered the streets impassable.
This flooding highlights broader challenges facing Lagos residents.
Some workers expressed frustration that the downpour caused a hike in transportation fares despite the economic hardship.
Lagos residents experience this every wet season, as heavy rainfalls disrupt daily activities.
One of the commuters, Oluwaseun Olatunbosun, a resident of Alimosho who works at Fibernet in the Ikeja area, said transportation fares always increase when it rains.
“If there is no rain, I spend about N1, 000 from my house around Orisunbare to Ikeja where my office is, but I spend well over N1, 000 during the rainy season.
“As it is now, the traffic is heavy, and I am sure there will be an increase in the fare as I go to the office,” he said.
Another resident, Miss Favour Blessing, who lives in Ilepo in Abule Egba and works in Ikeja, said the flat fare to her office usually ranges between N600 and N800 if there is no rain.
“Right now, with the rain, the fare could be between N1, 000 and N1, 400.
“It is worrisome because of the economic situation in the country. Sometimes I don’t even go to work because of the hike in fare when it rains,” she said.
Mrs Juliet Okonkwo, a school teacher, decried the situation, adding that most of her students come to school late during the rainy season.
“We have to make our way to work even with the gridlock because we have a responsibility to the kids,” she said.
Schools in White Sand Estate, Isheri-Osun in the Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State, have closed their doors, advising students to stay at home as heavy rains and subsequent flooding have disrupted activities.
White Sand Estate is one of the hardest-hit locations in Lagos, frequently experiencing severe flooding.
Wednesday’s downpour rendered homes flooded, with water reaching mid-level heights inside residences.
This severe flooding has left many residents trapped, unable to even sit down as their living spaces are submerged.
In response to the flooding, a school located in the area (name withheld), sent messages to pupils, advising them to stay at home due to the hazardous conditions of the roads and the school.
The message read, “Good morning dearest parents. Trust your night was splendid. Due to the downpour and a predicted serious rainy weather forecast today, we have decided to close the school and postpone today’s exam. As you can see, almost everywhere is flooded.
“As a school, we prioritise the safety of our geniuses above everything else. Consequently, the school bus will also not operate today. We are extremely sorry for all the inconvenience.”
Journalists who visited the area, observed that the streets were flooded, making it impossible for cars and motorcycles to navigate.
Pedestrians face significant risks as the flooding obscures drainage channels.
The Public Relations Officer of the area CDC, Johnson Olabode, expressed his frustration, in an interview, saying, “We are at it again this year. Everywhere is filled with water. I have been up since 3am when the rain started, and all I could do was watch my house get flooded. We can’t even start removing the water until the rain stops.”
Olabode added that schools have notified parents to keep their children at home due to the severe conditions.
Another resident, who simply identified herself as Atinuke, lamented as water flooded her living room.
“The rain has entered my house again. Just look at the environment. This is Whitesand Estate in Isheri-Osun,” she lamented.
The flooding in White Sand Estate is a recurring issue, with the area suffering from poor roads, inadequate drainage systems, and lack of maintenance.
Residents have called on the Lagos State Government to urgently address the problem.
Another resident, John Adewale, added that the flooding had become a yearly nightmare for them.
Adewale said, “This has become a yearly nightmare for us. Every time it rains heavily, we know our homes will be flooded.
“We’ve been pleading with the government for better drainage systems, but nothing seems to be done. We’re stuck inside with water everywhere.”
Many areas such as Iyana-Oworo, Oshodi, and Lagos Island were similarly affected, with activities brought to a standstill.
The Iyana-Oworo, Olopomeji areas leading to the 3rd Mainland Bridge was completely flooded, causing heavy traffic that extends to Alapere.
Many who defied the rain and left their homes with the hope of getting to their places of work were seen stranded at different bus-stops while trying to commute in the city.
Motorists have to spend hours on the road coming through Alapere to Third Mainland Bridge.
The downpour caused a tree to fall around Airport U-turn in Oshodi and personnel of the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency were at hand to clear the fallen tree from the road to facilitate traffic flow and ensure public safety.
Their prompt intervention enabled the restoration of vehicular movement, mitigating potential congestion and hazards in the area.
Reacting to the flood in a post on his X handle, the Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said that a team from the ministry has been deployed to monitor and clear the flash flood at the Olopomeji section of Iyana Oworo.
Wahab, who thanked motorists for their patience and understanding, noted that the road is now free from rain water.