By Our Reporter
Hours of downpour on Wednesday left Lagos residents stranded in their homes as streets and major road in metropolitan Lagos was flooded, causing severe disruption across the megacity, NatureNews can report.
The rain, which began around 3.00a.m., led to significant flooding and gridlock in diverse areas in the metropolis including Alimosho area, lyana Oworo, close to the Third Mainland Bridge, Ikeja, Ibeju-Lekki, Agage and others.
Reacting to the flooded areas after much preparation for the rainy season, the State Commissioner for the Environment, Tokunbo, urged residents to remain calm.
He explained that the flash flood resulted from the intense and prolonged rainfall combined with the current high tidal level of the lagoon.
Wahab assured the public that the floodwaters would recede within a few hours as the tidal levels decreases and allow rainwater to drain into the lagoon.
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He explained that the Emergency Flood Abatement Gang (EFAG) from the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources has been deployed to monitor and clear any blocked drainages for the rainwater to go away.
However, as of midday, most of the roads that were flooded in the early hours of the day have been free from rainwater.
Despite the clearance of the blocked roads across the city, many Lagosians expressed their frustration over the flooding and the subsequent traffic gridlock.
As of the time of writing this report, workers are struggling to return home as many commercial vehicles that are mot roadworthy particularly during the rainy season are not on the road to pick passengers leading to more people waiting more than necessary at bus stops waiting for buses take journey back to their respective home.
In addition, the economic activities which Lagos is known for was significantly disrupted as the social media space got flooded with videos and posts from residents showing the extent of the flooding and advising others to stay home.
One of the affected road users, Lateef who got stocked in the flash flood at about 9.12.am wrote this on his Facebook wall: “If your route this morning is mainland to island via Third Mainland Bridge, just forget it. Turn back home or reroute. The beginning of Third Mainland is car door height flooded. I’ve never seen that on the bridge before.”
