Roads submerged, vehicles stranded as heavy rainfall floods part of Lagos

Several parts of Lagos were flooded on Sunday after hours of heavy rainfall, leaving major roads submerged and disrupting movement across the state.

Residents took to social media to share videos showing flooded streets, stranded vehicles and heaps of refuse blocking drainage channels, worsening the situation in many areas.

The flooding affected both the mainland and island, including Mushin, Gbagada, Surulere, Ijesha, Ilupeju, Shomolu, Ikeja, Ikorodu, Oshodi, Victoria Island and parts of Lekki.

Footage circulating online showed floodwaters covering major roads and expressways, while waste and debris clogged drainage systems, preventing the free flow of stormwater.

Some residents were seen walking through knee-deep floodwaters, while several vehicles became trapped after roads were inundated by the downpour.

Some residents who spoke with TheCable said they have been scooping water from their living rooms since Sunday night.

Reacting in a series of posts on X, Tokunbo Wahab, Lagos commissioner for environment and water resources, said the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) intervention team had been deployed in some of the affected locations.

“The LAWMA Intervention Team has been notified and will attend to the situation immediately. We appreciate your vigilance and continued support in helping us keep Lagos clean,” Wahab wrote in response to one of the videos.

In another response to a resident, the commissioner said maintaining a clean environment requires collective effort.

“Achieving a cleaner Lagos is a shared responsibility, and your contribution is truly appreciated. Together, through our collective efforts, we can build a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable city for everyone,” he said.

Wahab also attributed the flooding to the prolonged and intense rainfall predicted for the year by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).

“NiMet had earlier forecast that 2026 would witness above-normal rainfall, with Lagos expected to experience a greater impact due to its coastal geography and low-lying terrain,” he said.

“As predicted, the rainy season has been longer, with prolonged and intense rainfall experienced across many parts of the country.

“It is also important to note that the flooding currently being experienced is not peculiar to Lagos State. Similar incidents have been recorded in Ogun, Osun, Abia, Kogi, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Enugu, Adamawa and several other northern states.”

The commissioner said the state government had intensified the clearing of drainage channels, enforcement against illegal developments obstructing waterways and other interventions to reduce the impact of flooding.

He, however, urged residents to avoid indiscriminate waste disposal and other activities that obstruct drainage channels, adding that protecting lives and property requires collective responsibility.

“Given NiMet’s forecast, the risks associated with heavy rainfall remain significant,” Wahab said.

“Government will continue to do its part, but safeguarding lives and property also requires the cooperation and collective responsibility of every resident.

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