As isual, floods have taken over roads, submerged homes, and vehicles in many parts of Lagos State, leaving residents stranded and calling for urgent government intervention.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMet, had earlier predicted thundery and rainy weather activities across the nation from Monday to Wednesday, warning of possible flash floods in some areas.
NiMet’s weather outlook released on Sunday in Abuja envisaged morning thunderstorms on Monday with moderate rains over parts of Adamawa, Taraba, Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Jigawa, Kano, and Katsina in the northern region, as well as Lagos in the southwestern states.
The agency envisaged cloudy skies over the southern region with chances of light rain over parts of Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo, Anambra, Abia, Ogun, Edo, Delta, Lagos, Rivers, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Bayelsa states during the morning hours.
According to it, light rains are expected over parts of Abia, Imo, Ebonyi, Anambra, Osun, Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, Ekiti, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Lagos, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom States later in the day.
The agency anticipated the high possibility of floods occurring over parts of Oyo, Ogun, Edo, and Delta States during the forecast period.
NiMet predicted morning thunderstorms on Tuesday over the northern region with moderate rains over parts of Taraba, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Kaduna, and Zamfara States.
NiMet urged the public to avoid driving under heavy rain, and states with the possibility of flash floods were told to activate the emergency response system immediately.
“Ensure warm clothing for the vulnerable persons due to low night-time temperatures, and ensure that loose objects are fastened to avoid collisions.
“Disconnect electrical appliances from electrical sockets, and stay away from tall trees to avoid impact from falling branches and broken trees.
Airline operators get airport-specific weather reports (flight documentation) from NiMet for effective planning in their operations,” it said.
The agency advised the residents to stay informed through weather updates from NiMet by visiting its website, www.nimet.gov.ng.
Floods Take Over Roads… In Lagos
Meanwhile, on Monday, it was gathered that many roads, including Lagos-Abeokuta Motorway, Ikorodu Road, Apapa, Alimosho, Lekki axis, Agege, Oworosonki, and Ikotun, as well as the Long Bridge along Lagos-Ibadan Motorway, among others, have been submerged, resulting in traffic snarls and vehicles left stranded with houses and shops flooded.
The development followed hours of torrential rainfall between Sunday, August 3 and Monday, August 4, 2025, which led to floodwaters taking over homes, streets, and vehicles in the affected communities.
Viral videos showed submerged houses and vehicles in Ijede in the Ikorodu area of the state. Coastal and flood-prone areas like Lekki, parts of Eti-Osa, Ajegunle, Agege, Surulere, and Alimosho local governments weren’t spared as residents delicately navigated pool-like streets and roads, which overflowed from clogged drainage channels and canals.
In one of the viral videos shared on X by @tokunbo_wahab and @ChuksEricE, Intelregion reporrs that a woman was heard saying in Yoruba, “We are in Oko Ope in Ijede.
“Have mercy on us. This is our community. We can’t even enter the house, the flood has damaged everything. I’m not even wearing a footwear. Come and save us, today is 4th of August, 2025. Come and rescue people.”
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Another clip captured a man lamenting the state of his residence. “This is what I’m facing in my area in Ijede. From August 3-4, Monday morning, inside and outside my house is full of water. Big ocean. See cars inside water.”
The environmental situation paralysed trade and economic activities in the nation’s commercial hub as residents took to their social media handles to cry for help.
Movement was also hampered as motorists avoided flooded roads to avoid their vehicles being submerged.
A motorist who simply identified himself as Alhaji Abu said motorists had a hectic time navigating through the flooded path of Odo Iya Alaro Bridge, of Ikorodu, at about 5am, which was heavily flooded.
Also, it was a standstill situation around Alakuko because of the bad spots on the Lagos-Abeokuta Motorway.
“Since the flood had covered all the potholes on the road, motorists had to be cautious in order not to be stranded inside the flood,” John said.
Lagos Calls For Calm
In a statement on Monday, Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, acknowledged the pain of Lagosians with an assurance that the state has put in place resilient infrastructure to combat flash flooding.
According to the commissioner, a new weather advisory from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency on Monday warned of heavy rainfall and thunderstorms for the next three days.
He said, “Some parts of the state may experience flash flooding because of the inability of the major collectors not being able to contain the run-off resulting from the very heavy rainfalls.”
He stressed that the peculiar nature of Lagos as a coastal city and the effect of climate change make it susceptible to vagaries of flash flooding, asking residents not to panic.
Wahab urged parents and guardians to exercise vigilance over their wards during the holiday period and cautioned against children playing outside during this delicate period.
He warned residents not to engage in disposing of their refuse into the drains as the rains fall, warning that there are consequences for such acts and the refuse will end up blocking the drains and causing flash floods.
Wahab said the state would intensify the year-round cleaning and maintenance of all drainage channels to contain runoff from rainfalls.
