Heavy rainfall on Monday brought movement to a near standstill in several parts of Lagos, leaving commuters stranded, flooding major roads and causing a sharp increase in transport fares across the state.
Many residents described the downpour as one of the heaviest in recent weeks, saying it disrupted business activities, delayed workers and reduced productivity as floodwaters submerged roads and worsened traffic congestion.
Commuters travelling to different parts of the city were forced to endure long delays, overcrowded buses and difficult journeys through flooded streets.
A resident of Alimosho, Odion Okiade, lamented that commercial transport operators routinely exploit rainy weather by increasing fares.
“My transport fare increases by at least ₦1,500 whenever it rains. Today’s rain was something else,” Okiade said, adding that the recurring fare hikes have compounded the financial hardship caused by the rising cost of living.
Another commuter, Nkiru Ogbonna, who travelled from Costain, said she had to wade through knee-deep floodwaters to reach her office, describing the experience as a regular occurrence whenever heavy rain falls.
Similarly, Chineme Onuoha, who travelled from the Cele axis, said severe traffic around Orile turned what would normally be a three to five-minute journey to Costain into a 25-minute ordeal, causing her to arrive late at work.
A resident of Ayobo, Mrs Deborah, said heavy rainfall frequently disrupts movement in her community and appealed to the authorities to implement measures that would reduce flooding in vulnerable areas during the rainy season.
Speaking from Fantasy Island on the outskirts of Sango near Agbado, resident Oluchi Uzoma blamed indiscriminate waste disposal and blocked drainage channels for the persistent flooding experienced in the area.
“The rain has cut us off. We can hardly go anywhere because our roads are no longer motorable. If you’re not careful, the next minute you’ll land in a pothole filled with water. It’s better to stay home until the rain subsides,” she said.
Uzoma noted that many residents now prefer to remain indoors whenever heavy rain falls, while businesses that depend on customer visits suffer poor patronage. She urged residents to stop dumping refuse into drains, saying clogged gutters prevent the free flow of rainwater and worsen flooding.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has advised residents to remain vigilant, warning that rainfall and thunderstorms are expected to continue across Lagos and other parts of southern Nigeria.
The agency cautioned that strong winds could precede thunderstorms and urged motorists to drive carefully due to slippery roads and poor visibility. It also advised residents to avoid flooded roads and drainage channels and warned against taking shelter under trees or near power lines during thunderstorms.