Heavy Rainfall Disrupts Business and Movement
A relentless 10-hour rainfall on Wednesday caused severe flooding in Lagos and Ogun states, bringing business and commercial activities to a standstill. The deluge, which began around midnight and continued until noon, led to significant disruptions, including the collapse of a two-storey building in the Mushin area of Lagos.
Building Collapse and Rescues
The heavy rains caused a newly constructed two-storey building on Cameroon Road in Mushin to collapse, injuring seven people. The Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Authority, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, confirmed that rescuers saved all seven victims, including three females and four males, and took them to a nearby hospital. They attributed the collapse to the inclement weather.
Widespread Flooding Affects Residents and Schools
In Lagos, areas such as Iyana-Oworo, Agege, Ijegun-Isheri Osun, Gbagada, and Lagos Island experienced significant flooding. The heavy flooding submerged roads and homes, forcing schools in severely affected areas like White Sand Estate, Isheri-Osun, to close. Residents struggled as water entered homes, making daily activities challenging.
Traffic and Transportation Chaos
The flooding rendered major roads impassable, causing traffic gridlocks and stranding commuters. In Ogun State, areas like Atan-Ota, Aseese, Ifo, Sango-Ota, and Ijebu-Ode faced similar challenges. The rains also led to a significant hike in transport fares, with commercial bus drivers and tricycle operators taking advantage of the situation.
Calls for Government Intervention
Residents called for urgent government intervention to address the recurring issue of poor drainage and flooding. In Ogun State, improper drainage channelling and construction on drainage rights-of-way were blamed for the flooding. Affected residents appealed to Governor Dapo Abiodun for immediate action to mitigate future occurrences.
Authorities Urge Caution
The Lagos State Commissioner for Environment, Tokunbo Wahab, urged residents to remain calm and avoid non-essential travel. He advised those in low-lying areas to relocate to higher grounds and discouraged wading through floods with vehicles due to the risks involved. The state deployed emergency teams to clear blockages and manage the flood impact.
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