Lagos Floods Leave Ajah, Mafoluku Residents Stranded After Heavy Rainfall

Residents of Ajah, Mafoluku and other flood-prone communities in Lagos are counting their losses after Thursday’s heavy rainfall submerged major roads, flooded homes and left many people stranded for hours.

The downpour, which affected several parts of the state, exposed the recurring drainage challenges in some Lagos communities, where residents say flooding has become a familiar crisis during the rainy season.

In Ajah, residents around Muri Okunola Road said the floodwater covered a long stretch of the road, making movement almost impossible for commuters, motorists and residents returning home from work or daily activities.

One resident, identified as Mrs Rukayat, told the News Agency of Nigeria that the water level rose so high that people were forced to walk through deep floodwater to reach their homes. According to her, about 200 metres of the road was covered, leaving many commuters with no safe passage.

She said some motorists turned back when they saw the level of flooding, while others abandoned their vehicles and continued their journeys on foot. Tricycle operators who tried to move passengers through the flood also struggled, as some of their vehicles broke down in the water and had to be pushed out.

For some residents, the flooding created an informal rescue system, as youths in the area helped push tricycles and assist stranded commuters for a fee. While this helped some people cross the flooded section, residents said it was a clear sign of how serious the situation had become.

Rukayat blamed the flooding on poor drainage and possible blockage of a major canal serving the area. She said residents had repeatedly reported the issue since the rains began, but little appeared to have been done to prevent the road from flooding again.

According to her, overgrown vegetation, sand deposits and other obstructions may have reduced the capacity of the canal to carry stormwater away from the community. She added that although floodwater usually recedes after some hours, some sections of the road often remain waterlogged, creating hardship for residents and road users.

The situation was also difficult in Mafoluku, where several streets, homes and access roads were submerged. Residents said the flooding disrupted movement, damaged property and left many people unable to return home safely.

Mrs Iriagbonse Okunkpolor, a resident of Agboola Street, said what started as a quick trip to buy household items turned into a long and frightening experience after the rain suddenly intensified. She said the entire street was flooded within a short time, leaving her stranded for hours because there was no safe route back home.

Another resident, Mr Mukaila Idris, said the current was strong enough to make crossing dangerous, especially for children, elderly residents and people who were not physically strong. He said some residents paid young men to carry them across flooded sections because they were afraid of slipping, falling or being swept off balance.

According to Idris, many residents had no choice but to wait for hours until the water level dropped. He said the incident showed how vulnerable many Lagos communities remain whenever there is heavy rainfall.

In Eyinogun, another affected area, Mr Williams Ekpo said the flood did not stop on the roads but entered residential compounds and damaged household items. He said the experience was frustrating because residents face similar problems almost every rainy season.

For many Lagos residents, the latest flooding has renewed concerns about the state of drainage infrastructure in densely populated communities. Poor drainage channels, blocked canals, illegal dumping, sand deposits and rapid urban development have continued to worsen flood risks in several parts of the city.

Although Lagos has repeatedly warned residents against dumping refuse in drainage channels and building on waterways, residents in affected communities say government intervention must go beyond warnings. They are calling for proper desilting of canals, expansion of drainage systems, regular maintenance and urgent inspection of flood-prone roads before the rains intensify further.

The affected residents also urged the relevant state agencies to investigate the cause of the persistent flooding in Ajah, Mafoluku and surrounding areas. They said without urgent action, homes, businesses and major access roads may continue to suffer repeated disruption throughout the rainy season.

The latest incident adds to growing concerns over Lagos’ flood resilience as climate change, rising rainfall intensity and poor urban planning place more pressure on the city’s infrastructure. For residents in Ajah and Mafoluku, however, the issue is more immediate: they want safe roads, clear canals and a drainage system that can protect their homes whenever the rains return. (NAN)