Lagos: Heavy Rain Wreaks Havoc, As Victims Count Loses

By Akinwale Kasali

Lagos Residents are counting their loses as properties worth Millions of Naira were destroyed owing to the heavy rain that led to  flooding and crippling of commercial activities.

The rain witnessed in many areas of the State caught many residents unawares as it started midnight.

Many houses were flooded as occupiers scampered for their lives to avoid being swept away by the heavy flood.

Roofs of houses were blown away as the effect of the storm which accompanied the rain was terrifying. Cars were submerged in the heavy flood.

Salami Ifedayo, who just moved to Aboru, in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State, could not hold back tears. He watched his properties  destroyed.

His house was flooded and all his properties submerged by the flood. “All I laboured for has been destroyed”, he cried.

So also was the lot of Jacob Semako, who just moved to Oke Ishagun, Command Area of the same LG. He had  all his wares destroyed by the rain. The shop where he sells Elle truck Wares was destroyed as the heavy storm removed the roof of the shop and exposed his wares to destruction.

Semako said he just stocked his shop Friday, but the rain that fell over the night wrecked his life.

Houses and Cars in Lekki, Victoria Island, Ajah, Lagos Island, Satellite Town, Alimosho, Aboru, Surulere and its environs were submerged and all roads  flooded leading to gridlock unbelievable gridlock on major roads.

The flood prompted motorists to ply alternatives routes as commercial vehicles hiked transport  fares.

It would be recalled that the Lagos State Government had earlier alerted of the coming heavy rains, amounting to 1,750 mm in 2022, with attendant socio-economic implications for Residents of the State.

Commenting on the development, an environmental expert, Segun Lawal, made an appeal to the State Government to work on coordinating their drainage channels and linking them to avoid perennial flooding.

Also, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has urged residents of the State to observe safety precautions.

Ibrahim Farinloye, Acting Assistant Zonal Coordinator, South-west Zonal Office, NEMA, said residents should avoid driving when flood covers half of vehicles’ tyres.

“Once the rainwater gets to half of the wheels it sweeps off your vehicle,” he said.

“Kindly park and move on to higher ground for safety.”

Farinloye also advised that trekking should be avoided during downpours.

“The rainwater must have risen above our ankles, once it happens like this, the flood has the capacity to carry us off,” he added.

“Residents of Lagos Island, Eti-Osa, Alimosho, Amuwo Odofin, Ikeja, Ojo, Kosofe, Apapa, Epe, Oshodi-Isolo, Shomolu, Surulere and Ajeromi /Ifelodun LGAs are advised to be more careful when it rains.”

Flooding issues have become more frequent in Nigeria as a result of climate change.