What began as a steady downpour quickly turned into widespread flooding as hours of heavy rainfall submerged homes, stranded commuters and destroyed properties across several communities in Lagos.
The situation worsened as the floodwaters failed to drain into nearby water bodies because of rising water levels, leaving many roads and residential areas submerged.
The downpour, which lasted several hours yesterday, affected communities including Gbagada, Iyana Ipaja, Ikorodu Road, Ikeja, Maryland, Mushin, Ogudu, Lekki, Oshodi, Agege, Alimosho and Obalende, leaving major roads flooded and disrupting movement across the state.
Videos obtained by The Guild showed homes, vehicles and shops submerged in muddy water, with floating debris littering many streets.
While some residents sought refuge on higher ground, others battled to salvage their belongings by scooping water out of their homes.
The flooding also disrupted commercial activities, with several shops partially submerged and goods worth thousands of naira destroyed.
As the rain subsided, many Lagos residents took to social media to share videos of the flooding, describing the scale of destruction and calling on the government to improve drainage infrastructure across the state to prevent a recurrence.
Amid the growing concerns, the member representing Oshodi-Isolo Constituency I in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Ogundipe Olukayode, sympathised with residents affected by the flooding, particularly those in Sogunle and Mafoluku.
He described the destruction of homes, displacement of families, loss of property and the emotional trauma suffered by victims as deeply saddening.
Olukayode said he had repeatedly drawn the attention of relevant government agencies to the recurring flooding in the affected communities through petitions and official engagements, adding that he would continue to push for lasting solutions.
He, however, urged residents to cooperate with any government intervention, noting that measures such as enforcing drainage setbacks, environmental regulations and urban renewal policies may be necessary to prevent future disasters.
“While these decisions may be inconvenient in the short term, they are aimed at preventing future occurrences and ensuring a safer environment for everyone.
“I therefore appeal to all residents to cooperate fully with the relevant government agencies whenever such interventions commence. Together, through understanding, patience and collective responsibility, we can build safer and more resilient communities,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Government assured residents that it was responding to the situation, describing the flooding as a flash flood caused by prolonged rainfall.
The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said water levels had already begun to recede in many affected areas, noting that such flooding was typical after several hours of intense rainfall.
He added that the government would continue to monitor vulnerable locations, respond where necessary and implement measures aimed at protecting lives and property while improving the state’s flood resilience.