LAGOS—Torrential rainfall brought commercial and vehicular activities to a standstill across Lagos, yesterday, as flash floods submerged major roads, caused motorists and commuters, to be stranded and triggered hours of traffic gridlock in several parts of the metropolis.The heavy rain, which began at about noon and lasted until around 4 p.m., inundated highways and inner-city roads, leaving many vehicles trapped in floodwaters while others broke down, worsening traffic congestion across the state.
A Vanguard checks showed that major routes, including the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Ikorodu Road, Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, Oshodi, Agege, Ikeja, Alimosho, Obalende and the Lekki-Epe Expressway, were heavily flooded, disrupting the movement of people and goods.
Many motorists were forced to abandon their vehicles temporarily, while commercial bus operators struggled to navigate waterlogged roads. In several locations, commuters trekked long distances after public transport operators suspended services due to rising floodwaters.
The development came just days after the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) forecast thunderstorms and widespread rainfall across the country, warning that flash floods could occur in some states during the period.
The agency had urged residents in vulnerable areas to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions as heavy rainfall intensified.
Several motorists and commuters who spoke to Vanguard lamented the situation, blaming the flooding on blocked drainage channels, indiscriminate refuse dumping and poor maintenance of existing drainage infrastructure.
One of the affected motorists, Johnson Alaba, who was trapped along the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, expressed frustration over the situation.
He said: “The blocked drainage channels worsened the flooding situation. The entire road is submerged, no movement. The drainage channel is not functional here.”
Vanguard
