Heavy rain floods Lagos roads, agencies warn of more risks

Torrential rainfall submerged major roads across Lagos on Sunday, forcing businesses to close and temporarily halting operations at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport's international terminal. The severe flooding has left residents on edge, with meteorological agencies issuing warnings of increased flood risks in the coming months.

The June 28 downpour inundated numerous areas, including Oshodi, Mushin, Surulere, and parts of Egbeda and Gbagada Expressway. The flooding at the airport forced the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria to suspend operations at the temporary international terminal after water reached the powerhouse. As a safety precaution, electricity was cut, and airlines like Air France-KLM, Ethiopian Airlines, and Fly Gabon were relocated to Terminal Two.

In several neighborhoods, floodwaters reached knee-deep levels, severely disrupting daily life and movement. Videos circulating on social media showed vehicles partially submerged, some swept away by the currents, while water levels in some residential buildings rose to window height, inundating ground floors.

While floodwaters receded by Monday morning and commercial activities gradually resumed, residents and traders voiced their frustration. They highlighted the city's ongoing vulnerability to flooding, despite repeated government assurances and annual preparations for the rainy season.

Nigerian meteorological agencies, including the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), have identified July through September as the period of highest flood risk for Lagos this year. Sunday's rainfall is seen as an early indicator of what to expect during the peak of the rainy season.

NiMet's 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction forecasts above-normal rainfall for Lagos, with a delayed end to the rainy season. The agency projects annual rainfall potentially reaching up to 2,010mm in the Badagry Division and an average of 1,965mm across the state. These projections are partly influenced by climate conditions like a weak La Niña earlier in the year and a neutral El Niño Southern Oscillation phase expected mid-year, contributing to predictions of an early onset and late cessation of rainfall.

NIHSA's 2026 Annual Flood Outlook identified Lagos among 33 states at high flood risk, warning of flash flooding, riverine flooding, and coastal tidal surges as the primary threats. The agency cautioned that major urban centers face significant danger.