(DDM) – Heavy rainfall on Wednesday submerged large parts of Lagos, paralyzing transport and leaving thousands of commuters stranded across the city.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that sudden flash floods swept through major roads including the Lekki-Epe Expressway, Ago Palace Way, Apple Junction, and the busy Mile 2 corridor.
Motorists were trapped in gridlocks that lasted for hours, while business owners lamented as floodwaters invaded shops and damaged goods.
The Lagos State Government issued an apology to residents, describing the incident as a consequence of intense rainfall, tidal lock, illegal construction, and waste dumping in drainage channels.
Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, explained that technical problems at the Kusenla drainage system and downstream elevation issues compounded the severity of flooding in some neighborhoods.
He warned that the government will no longer tolerate illegal structures blocking natural water pathways and announced that defaulters risk demolition.
Authorities also renewed calls for public cooperation, urging residents to stop dumping refuse in waterways and to obey environmental regulations.
Environmental experts argue that flooding in Lagos has become a recurrent crisis linked to rapid urbanization and poor city planning.
They warned that without urgent interventions, annual rains could increasingly bring life to a standstill in Africa’s largest commercial hub.
Commuters shared their ordeal with reporters, describing hours-long delays and vehicles breaking down after engines were submerged in waterlogged roads.
Residents in low-lying communities also reported that their homes were inundated, forcing families to seek refuge with neighbors and relatives.
Shopkeepers in markets along the Lekki corridor said they counted losses after water swept through stalls, destroying stock worth millions of naira.
Observers noted that despite repeated promises of drainage reforms, Lagos remains highly vulnerable to floods each rainy season.
The state government, however, maintained that ongoing investments in drainage infrastructure and public awareness campaigns will gradually reduce the scale of disruption.
Citizens are now anxiously awaiting further steps, as memories of past devastating floods still linger across the city.
