Lagos floods strand motorists and halt commerce

A heavy downpour on Monday flooded large parts of Lagos, submerging roads in areas such as Ikoyi, Lekki, Victoria Island and Oworonshoki. Thousands of motorists and commuters were stranded, traffic jammed for kilometres and many vehicles were partially or fully submerged, disrupting business activities across the commercial capital.

Residents reported that the flood worsened after weeks of continuous rain, with some abandoning homes in neighborhoods like Ijagemo and Ojo. Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources Tokunbo Wahab said the flooding is largely due to the lagoon water level rising by about one metre, which blocked drainage channels and prevented stormwater from flowing out. The National Emergency Management Agency’s Lagos Operations Office conducted an impact assessment in Surulere communities to document damage and humanitarian needs.

Officials urged Lagosians to stay patient while water recedes and said agencies are monitoring the situation and implementing measures to mitigate further impact.