The flooding in Lagos is really alarming. It is shameful that the state government couldn't forecast the weather to know that such magnitude of downpour will be experienced in Lagos, and warn people about it.
Apart form that, why are there no good drainage systems in key spots in Lagos, to reduce the havoc caused by the flood?
It was a day of rage in Lagos State on Sunday, as a downpour that started at about 5am lasted throughout the day and left most of the major roads and streets flooded. The floods brought all economic, social and religious activities to a standstill as motorists had to 'sail' through flooded roads while pedestrians waded through shoulder-high rain water.
In most parts of the metropolis, panic-stricken residents whose homes had been slowly taken over by floods tried to salvage their possessions before abandoning their homes. In some cases, many abandoned their homes in haste and took refuge on roofs.
Alarmed by the volume of the floods, Lagos State officials issued advisory alerts in the afternoon, warning residents to stay off the roads. In a "Traffic Advisory," the state Commissioner for Transport, Mr. Kayode Opeifa, asked residents to stay indoors except it was "absolutely necessary" to venture out.
Opeifa's advisory reads, "Due to heavy flooding occasioned by persistent rainfall previously predicted by the Nigerian Metrological Agency, sections of most Lagos roads are flooded. Motorists and road users are advised to stay off the roads except it is absolutely necessary. This advisory will be updated every hour."
Punch