Floods isolate Ajah and Mafoluku neighborhoods, leaving Lagos residents marooned

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Residents of Ajah, Mafoluku and other flood-prone communities in Lagos have recounted how Thursday’s torrential rainfall left them stranded, submerged homes and cut off access to major roads.

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The residents, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Friday called for urgent government intervention to tackle the recurring flooding blamed on poor drainage infrastructure.

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Along Muri Okunola Road in Ajah, Mrs Rukayat said floodwaters submerged about 200 metres of the road, forcing commuters to wade through waist-deep water.

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“The water level was almost up to my lap. People literally had to wade through it to get home,” she said.

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According to her, many motorists turned back, while others abandoned their vehicles and continued their journeys on foot.

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“The only way to pass through the water was by walking or using a tricycle. Even then, the tricycles broke down and had to be pushed,” she said.

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Rukayat said some youths assisted stranded tricycle operators by pushing their vehicles through flooded sections for a fee.

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She said residents had repeatedly alerted authorities to the flooding, but little had changed.

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“We reported this when the rains started, but apparently nothing has been done about the problem,” she said.

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She attributed the flooding to poor drainage and possible blockage of a major canal serving the area.

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“There is a big canal here, but I don’t know what is preventing water from flowing through it properly,” she said.

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According to her, overgrown vegetation and sand deposits might have obstructed the canal, reducing its capacity to discharge stormwater.

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She added that although floodwaters usually receded after a few hours, sections of the road remained waterlogged.

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In Mafoluku, residents said several streets, homes and access roads were submerged, leaving many unable to return home after going about their daily activities.

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Mrs Iriagbonse Okunkpolor, a resident of Agboola Street, said what began as a short trip to buy household items became an hours-long ordeal.

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“I left my house to buy a few items nearby, but the rain started suddenly and flooded the entire street.

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“I was stranded for hours because there was no safe way back home,” she said.

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Another resident, Mr Mukaila Idris, described the flooding as both dangerous and distressing.

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“The current was very strong. I watched people pay young men to carry them across the water because they were afraid of being swept away or falling,” he said.

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According to him, only physically fit residents could navigate the floodwaters safely, while many others waited several hours for the water level to subside.

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Mr Williams Ekpo, who lives in the Eyinogun area, said the flood extended beyond the roads and entered residential compounds.

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“The floodwater entered our compound and damaged some household items.

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“This happens almost every rainy season, yet nothing seems to be done to address the drainage problem,” he said.

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The residents urged the relevant authorities to investigate the persistent flooding and improve drainage infrastructure to prevent a recurrence during the rainy season. (NAN)

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