The rainy season came at a perfect time for residents of Lagos State, as the heat was getting unbearable.
However, while Lagosians enjoyed the cooling breeze and effect that accompanied the rains, tragedy served breakfast.
It all started in the early hours of Wednesday, while Nigerians were lost in their sleep.
That day, many of them woke up to a great disaster.
Videos of cars and household items floating the streets flooded the internet.
Pity For Lekki Residents
As the rains dropped little by little, whispers of pity for people living in Lekki could be heard.
Indeed, with the heavy downpour, Nigerians had expected the Lekki area to be flooded, however, no one had thought that the flood would wash through the entire Lagos.
That flood grounded almost every activity in the state.
We are saying almost because remote workers and business owners, who can easily close their shop for the day did not need to bother about folding trousers, dealing with HR, or the numerous health hazard associated with floods.
Theirs was just to salvage their properties or goods or pray that the flood strays away from their houses or shops.
Indeed, it was a total shutdown in the city of Lagos.
Economic Implications Of Flood In Lagos
Business and commercial activities were grounded on Wednesday following a 10-hour downpour in many parts of Lagos.
The resulting flooding brought down a two-storey building in the Mushin area of Lagos.
It grounded vehicular movement on the roads and overwhelmed thousands of residents while pupils could not attend schools in parts of the states.
Though the Lagos State government said the rain lasted for nine hours, in some parts of the state, it started at midnight and did not subside until noon, making it 12 hours.
In places like Berger, Ikeja, Ogba and in other parts, the rain lasted for 10 hours.
Other affected flooded areas are, Iyana-Oworo, Agege, Ijegun-Isheri Osun, Gbagada and Lagos Island.
These areas had roads and houses flooded as a result of long hours of downpour.
Other flooded places in Lagos include Eredo, Bojije, Epe, Sangotedo, Ibeju-Lekki, Awoyaya, Labora, and Abijon.
This heavy flood came with huge implications, especially on economic activities in the state.
Business Owners In Tears
Business owners counted their losses after the flood, with many running into millions.
Due to the unpredictable weather conditions, the LASEMA boss urged Lagos residents to remain calm and avoid any non-essential travel.
“We are urging the good people of Lagos to remain calm and refrain from any non-essential travel due to the incidence of flash floods across the state,” he added.
Also Read: #Flood: Why Rainy Season Is The Best Time To Rent A House In Lagos
Students taking exams were affected by the downpour.
Some schools in the Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos were left with no choice but to close.
The students were advised to stay home due to the hazardous roads.
Landlords and house owners were also affected.
As we speak, tenants who had this scary experience have started hunting for a new house.
Such landlords will experience difficulty renting out these apartments as the rain promises to linger a little longer.
In fact, the situation has again raised the need to ask questions about flood before you rent an apartment.
Better still, you can check the terrain of your desired location to know if the place is prone to flooding.
Lagos Vehicle Mechanics In Joy
Again, Nigerians were moved to emotions after a video of a car stand with all the cars enmeshed in the water surfaced.
One cannot imagine how much loss the owner of this business would have incurred.
Interestingly, while every other business owner counts their losses, mechanics in Lagos are all joyed.
With credit alerts hitting their phones every minute, this trade has come to its boom season.
