by Olatunji Saliu
ABUJA, June 30 (Xinhua) -- Days of downpour in Lagos, Nigeria's commercial hub, have resulted in heavy flooding wreaking havoc across the city, including the urban centers.
The persistent rainfall, which climaxed on Sunday night, has submerged major thoroughfares, crippled small businesses, and exposed the fragile nature of the coastal megacity's drainage infrastructure as the peak of the annual rainy season sets in.
From the densely populated mainland districts to the upscale neighborhoods of Lekki and Victoria Island, residents are left navigating waterlogged streets, while business owners count their losses.
"The rain was relentless," said Abosede Idowu, a local hairstylist in the low-income neighborhood of Okokomaiko.
"By the time it stopped, water had entered the shops. Many of us have had to raise our storefronts with concrete blocks because this happens almost every year, but this particular downpour was overwhelming."
In the residential areas of Somolu, Ipaja, and Ayobo, some families remained indoors on the upper floors of their buildings, watching the ground levels fill with stormwater mixed with uncollected refuse flushed from local streets.
The impact of the flash floods has extended beyond residential areas to critical infrastructure.
On Sunday, floodwaters threatened to disrupt flight operations at the temporary international terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), affecting access to the departure hall, boarding gates, and airline offices.
The floods eventually reached the facility's powerhouse, triggering an emergency electricity shutdown to prevent a potential fire.
Henry Agbebire, spokesperson for the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), said in a statement that emergency measures were quickly activated to manage the crisis.
According to him, the situation is "linked to ongoing construction activities affecting drainage," as the debris from the remodeling of the old international terminal of the MMIA had temporarily obstructed the surrounding drainage grid.
Major international airlines were immediately relocated to another terminal to avoid flight cancellations. The FAAN said water-clearing teams successfully restored normalcy and resumed terminal operations on Monday.
On Tuesday, the flooding literally disrupted economic activities along the Anthony area of the state, extending to the Oshodi-Apapa expressway, a vital economic corridor, as commuters abandoned commercial buses to wade through knee-deep water, while several vehicles became partially submerged.
In some local markets across the megacity, traders stayed away from their shops due to the havoc wreaked by the impassable roads. For those who did open, the day was spent battling the rising tide.
"This current situation has undeniably made clear our city's broader vulnerability. We are likely to face a tougher battle ahead as the rainy season peaks," said Layiwola Ishola, a geography teacher at a local high school.
Earlier, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency forecast an above-normal annual rainfall pattern for Lagos in 2026, projecting up to 2,010 mm of precipitation in some divisions.
Having intensified its year-round clearing of primary and secondary drainage networks to prevent further disasters, the Lagos state government has called for calm amid the growing public anxiety over the flooding situation.
While speaking to local media on Monday, Tokunbo Wahab, commissioner for the environment and water resources in Lagos, described the severe flash flooding as "a common challenge for low-lying coastal cities experiencing high-intensity rainfall."
According to him, the primary bottleneck occurs when high lagoon water levels temporarily prevent stormwater from emptying into the ocean. The drainage channels back up, spilling into the urban centers until the ocean tide recedes, he added.
