12-Hour Downpour Submerges Lagos Roads, Homes, Businesses As Sanwo-Olu Orders Dredging Of 28 Drainage Channels

Torrential rainfall that lasted for over 12 hours submerged several parts of Lagos State, crippling commercial activities, disrupting vehicular movement and leaving many residents, motorists and commuters stranded across the metropolis.

The downpour, which began on Sunday and intensified on Monday, overwhelmed drainage channels in several low-lying communities, forcing residents to bail water from their homes while many parents kept their children away from school over safety concerns.

Some of the heavily flooded areas included the Lagos-Oshodi Expressway, Abeokuta Expressway around Oshodi Bus Stop, Lekki-Epe Expressway and environs, Victoria Island, Agege, Ikeja, Oworonsoki, Gbagada, Funsho Williams Avenue, Iwaya in Yaba, Lagos Mainland, Ago Palace Way, Ikorodu Road, Oyingbo, Isashi, Iba, Ojo and Okokomaiko.

Viral videos showed residents and motorists trapped in floodwater, with some sending distress messages to the state government for urgent intervention. Others criticised the government over what they described as the recurring problem of flooding in the state.

As of about 11 a.m., floodwater had taken over the bridge linking Ojota to Maryland along Ikorodu Road, leaving vehicles stranded. In Lekki, Oshodi and surrounding areas, buildings were submerged while vehicles were seen floating in stormwater.

Many business offices and stalls remained closed, while bus stops were almost empty as commuters took shelter under available sheds. Although the rain later subsided around 2 p.m., it left behind heavy traffic gridlocks and trapped many residents indoors.

In Yaba, Ikeja, Oyingbo and parts of Ikorodu Road, floodwater covered major routes, forcing pedestrians to wade through knee-deep water to reach their destinations. Motorists along the Ikorodu Road corridor were stuck for hours as portions of the highway became almost impassable.

A resident of Yaba, identified as Mr. Wasiu, lamented the hardship caused by the flooding, saying many roads had become difficult to access.

“Many roads have been flooded, making it extremely difficult for people to get to work. Some parents were also afraid to allow their children go to school because many drainage channels are blocked and overflowing,” he said.

He added that some commercial transport operators who managed to operate increased fares, worsening the burden on commuters.

A primary school teacher, Mr. Ade Bambo, said the flooding also affected learning, as many pupils could not attend school.

“I had to make my way to school, but most of my pupils could not come because of the flood. Whenever there is heavy rainfall, attendance drops significantly because parents fear for the safety of their children,” he said.

He urged the Lagos State Government to intensify efforts to clear blocked drainage systems and accelerate flood control projects as the rainy season intensifies.

Ago Palace Way in Okota and sections of Gbagada were among the worst-hit areas, with rising water levels rendering roads impassable.

A resident of Ago Palace Way, who identified himself as Kunle, said the flood began shortly after the early morning downpour and worsened as drainage channels overflowed.

“It started as a normal rainfall, but within an hour, the entire road was covered. Many cars were stuck while pedestrians had no option but to wade through waist-deep water,” he said.

In Gbagada, commercial activities slowed down as businesses delayed opening and residents struggled to navigate flooded streets. Several tricycle and bus operators suspended operations over safety concerns, while motorists were advised to avoid flood-prone corridors as traffic built up on routes leading to Anthony, Maryland and Ojota.

In Isashi, Iba LCDA, Ojo and Okokomaiko, several homes were submerged following days of torrential rainfall. Some residents reportedly abandoned their homes and moved in with relatives and friends.

One affected resident, Mr. Joel Ubah of James Kunle Street, Isashi, appealed to the government for urgent intervention.

“Look at my house. I completed the house in April 2025 and moved in May 2025. I can’t stay there now. All the rooms are flooded. The canal at the back of the house is not flowing. The major bridge and waterway at Obadore are being sand-filled.

“I am begging the Lagos State Government to come to our rescue. If the rains and flood continue, many buildings may collapse,” he said.

James Kunle Street in Light Estate and Oluwaseyi Street in Isashi were reportedly cut off by floodwater, leaving residents with only one access road, which was later blocked by a fallen electric pole.

Reacting to the situation, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, assured residents that the government was responding to the flooding and had activated remedial measures in affected areas.

Wahab said the reality of climate change, intense rainfall and other environmental factors meant residents would continue to experience flash flooding, especially in low-lying areas, but added that the government was expanding resilient infrastructure across the state.

He blamed part of the flooding on illegal encroachment on drainage channels, floodplains, wetlands and natural water paths by residents and estate developers.