Heavy rainfall on Tuesday caused widespread flooding across Lagos State, submerging homes and roads, disrupting movement, and triggering power outages in several communities.
Floodwaters inundated areas including FESTAC, Gbagada, Ikeja, Ajah, and parts of Lagos Island, leaving residents wading through waterlogged streets while motorists struggled to navigate submerged roads. In some locations, floodwaters entered homes and shops, forcing temporary relocation.
The flooding also knocked out the electricity supply after critical infrastructure at the Oworonshoki 132/33kV Transmission Station was affected. Ikeja Electric confirmed that two transformers and multiple feeders were impacted, leaving several neighborhoods without power.
Residents blamed recurring flooding on blocked drainage systems, poor road design, and indiscriminate waste disposal. In some areas, drainage channels were reportedly obstructed by construction and refuse, worsening water accumulation.
Similar flooding was reported in neighboring Ogun State, where residents said blocked drainage linked to the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway had caused repeated damage to homes and disrupted daily activities.
The Lagos State Government described the downpour as an extreme weather event that overwhelmed existing drainage infrastructure. Authorities also attributed the flooding to the city’s coastal terrain, which slows the discharge of stormwater during high tide.
To address the situation, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has approved the dredging of 28 additional drainage channels across the state. Officials say emergency teams have been deployed, while residents have been advised to avoid dumping waste in drains and to stay away from flooded roads.
Weather forecasts have warned of continued rainfall and possible flash flooding in coastal and low-lying areas, raising concerns about further disruptions.
