Residents of Ajah, Mafoluku and other flood-prone communities in Lagos have recounted the devastation caused by Thursday’s torrential rainfall, which left them stranded, submerged homes and rendered major roads impassable.
The residents, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday, urged the Lagos State Government to urgently address the recurring flooding, blaming the crisis on poor drainage infrastructure and blocked waterways.
Along Muri Okunola Road in Ajah, floodwaters engulfed a stretch of about 200 metres, forcing residents and commuters to wade through waist-deep water to reach their destinations.
“The water was almost up to my lap. People had no choice but to walk through it to get home,” said Mrs. Rukayat, a resident.
She said many motorists were forced to abandon their journeys, with some parking their vehicles while others turned back after the road became impassable.
“The only way to cross was on foot or by tricycle. Even the tricycles kept breaking down and had to be pushed through the flood,” she added.
According to her, local youths cashed in on the situation by charging tricycle operators to push their vehicles through the submerged sections.
Rukayat lamented that residents had repeatedly alerted authorities to the persistent flooding, but no meaningful action had been taken.
“We reported the problem as soon as the rains began, but nothing has changed,” she said.
She attributed the flooding to poor drainage and a possible blockage of the major canal serving the area.
“There is a large canal here, but something is preventing water from flowing freely. Overgrown weeds and sand may have reduced its capacity,” she explained, adding that although the water usually recedes after a few hours, parts of the road remain waterlogged.
In Mafoluku, residents said several streets, homes and access roads were submerged, leaving many trapped for hours after going about their daily activities.
Mrs. Iriagbonse Okunkpolor, a resident of Agboola Street, said a routine trip to buy household items turned into an exhausting ordeal.
“I went out to buy a few things, but the rain came suddenly and flooded the entire street. I couldn’t get back home for hours because there was no safe route,” she said.
Another resident, Mr. Mukaila Idris, described the flood as both frightening and life-threatening.
“The current was very strong. I saw people paying young men to carry them across because they feared being swept away or falling into the water,” he said.
He noted that only physically fit residents could navigate the flood safely, while many others waited several hours for the water level to drop.
Mr. Williams Ekpo, who lives in the Eyinogun area, said the flood invaded residential compounds and destroyed household belongings.
“The floodwater entered our compound and damaged several household items. This happens almost every rainy season, yet the drainage problem remains unresolved,” he lamented.
The residents called on the relevant authorities to immediately clear blocked drainage channels, investigate the recurring flooding and improve drainage infrastructure to prevent future disasters during the rainy season.
Source : NAN
