LAGOS — Heavy rainfall on Monday brought Lagos to a standstill as flash floods swept through major parts of the city, crippling vehicular movement, submerging homes, and sparking fresh concerns over urban infrastructure and climate resilience.
The torrential downpour, which lasted several hours, overwhelmed the city's drainage system, flooding critical areas including Ikorodu, Lekki, Alimosho, Iyana Ipaja, and the Lagos-Abeokuta Motorway. Footage circulating on social media showed cars floating in water, commuters wading through waist-deep floods, and businesses temporarily shut down as water seeped into buildings.
In some areas like Lekki Phase 1 and Jakande, residents reported being trapped in their homes. In Alimosho, several roadside traders lost goods to the flood, while in Ikorodu, pupils and workers were unable to leave for school and offices, respectively.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) had earlier issued a warning predicting heavy rainfall and flash floods in Lagos and other parts of the country. Monday’s incident proved the forecast accurate, and experts warn the situation may repeat in coming days as more rains are expected.
Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, in a press briefing on Monday evening, appealed for calm and urged residents in flood-prone areas to consider relocating temporarily. He assured Lagosians that emergency response teams had been mobilised and that de-flooding operations were underway.
"We sympathise with those affected. Our team is on the ground, working round-the-clock to mitigate further damage. We are also intensifying drain clearing and opening up blocked channels," Wahab said.
In the meantime, the Lagos State Government has advised motorists to avoid waterlogged routes, heed traffic diversions, and stay indoors unless necessary. The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) confirmed that no fatalities had been recorded so far, but damage assessments were ongoing.
Urban planning experts have repeatedly warned that the city’s vulnerability to flooding will persist unless long-term drainage infrastructure, waste management, and environmental control measures are prioritised.
Environmentalists are also calling for sustainable urban reforms, noting that the combination of rising sea levels, poor waste disposal habits, and unregulated construction on wetlands is exacerbating the city’s flood crisis.
With more rains forecasted in the coming weeks, residents are being urged to stay alert, monitor official updates, and report emergencies to the nearest local authorities or LASEMA hotlines.
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