Severe flooding swept through several communities in Lagos State on Tuesday after hours of heavy rainfall submerged homes, inundated major roads and disrupted electricity supply in parts of the state.
Residents in areas including FESTAC, Gbagada, Ajah, Ikeja, Evans, Olushi, Anikantamo and Adeniji Adele were left stranded as floodwaters overwhelmed drainage systems, forcing commuters to wade through waterlogged streets while motorists struggled to navigate submerged roads.
Videos circulating on social media showed residents moving through flooded streets, with some roads rendered impassable by rising water levels.
In Ikeja, floodwaters reportedly entered homes and business premises, prompting some residents to temporarily relocate for safety. Residents blamed the recurring flooding on blocked drainage channels, poor road design and indiscriminate refuse disposal.
A resident, Abidemi Raji, alleged that a drainage channel linking parts of the community had been obstructed following nearby construction activities, worsening the flooding situation.
The downpour also affected FESTAC in Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area, where roads and inner streets were submerged, disrupting movement and economic activities.
The flooding triggered electricity outages in several communities after floodwaters affected facilities at the Oworo 132/33kV Transmission Station. In a public notice, Ikeja Electric said severe flooding damaged two power transformers and several 33kV feeders, disrupting supply to areas including Bariga, Gbagada, Oworo, Pedro, Alapere, Agboyi and surrounding communities.
The company said it was working with the Transmission Company of Nigeria to restore power as soon as repairs were completed.
The impact of the heavy rainfall extended into neighbouring Ogun State, where residents of Gloryland Estate in Ibafo appealed for urgent government intervention, saying annual flooding had damaged buildings, disrupted transportation and exposed residents to health risks.
Reacting to the development, Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, described the rainfall as an extreme weather event that temporarily overwhelmed existing drainage infrastructure.
He disclosed that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had approved the dredging of 28 additional primary drainage channels across the state as part of measures to improve flood control and reduce the impact of future downpours.
Wahab noted that Lagos’ coastal geography, characterised by lagoons, rivers and tidal water bodies, often slows the discharge of stormwater into the sea during high tides, making temporary flooding likely during periods of intense rainfall.
He urged residents to refrain from dumping refuse into drainage channels, avoid illegal reclamation of wetlands and comply with environmental regulations designed to reduce flooding.
The commissioner also advised motorists to stay away from flooded roads during heavy rainfall and urged residents in vulnerable communities to adhere to weather advisories and safety guidelines issued by relevant authorities.
