By Lukman Olabiyi, Lagos
A heavy downpour on Wednesday caused widespread flooding and traffic gridlock throughout Lagos State, severely disrupting economic activities in the state.
Videos circulating on social media showed areas such as Iyana-Oworo, Oshodi, Ajah, Lekki, Ikeja, Egbeda, and Gbagada submerged in water on Wednesday morning.
The flooded roads were nearly impassable, leading to significant gridlock and discomfort for commuters.
Many Lagosians took to social media to express their frustrations and advise others to stay home.
“This is Gbagada to 7up inward 3MB. Stay home if you have no business on the island. #Traffic,” Chu Osakwe captioned a video posted on X.
Read also: Lagos govt speaks on Olopo Meji flooding, assures commuters
“If your route this morning is mainland to the island via 3MB, just forget it. Turn back home or reroute. I just passed by on the opposite side and the beginning of Third Mainland (Iyana Oworo) is car door height flooded. I’ve never seen that on the bridge before,” another X user, Mochievous, said.
Adding, “Please let me adjust my advice. If you live in Lagos, do not even consider coming out of your house today. Everywhere is flooded. I didn’t expect it to be this bad on the mainland. Flooded and all the roads were blocked in any direction.
”Reacting to the situation, Tokunbo Wahab, the Lagos Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, said the flooding near the Third Mainland Bridge is a flash flood that will subside in about 1-2 hours.
“The Olopo Meji inward 3rd Mainland situation is a flash flood due to the high intensity and long duration of the rain, coupled with high tidal lagoon levels at the moment. Rest assured, it will subside in about 1-2 hours. As the high tidal level of the lagoon decreases, the rain and stormwater will be able to discharge into the lagoon,” the commissioner said on X.
