Lagos Residents Face Floods, Traffic Chaos as Rainy Season Persists

The prolonged rainfall in Lagos has significantly impacted the daily lives of its residents, forcing them to adapt to a new normal. The constant downpour has led to severe flooding, traffic congestion, and a surge in transport costs, causing difficulties for commuters and traders alike. According to the Nigerian Meteorological Agency's 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction, the rainy season is expected to be longer than usual, with a delayed cessation of rainfall in Lagos. As a result, residents have had to adjust their daily routines, with some leaving their homes as early as 4:00 a.m. to avoid getting stuck in traffic. Mrs. Shola Opeyemi, a resident of Aguda, said she now carries a backpack with her rain boots and raincoat to prepare for unexpected downpours. She also noted that getting caught in the rain often results in spending almost double her daily transport budget due to increased fares. 'I leave home early to avoid getting stuck in traffic. I always carry a backpack containing my rain boots and raincoat because you can never predict the weather. Whenever I am caught in the rain, I spend almost double my transport budget for the day because fares usually increase,' she said. Another resident, Mrs. Cecilia Uwadi, who lives in Ogba, has also adjusted her routine to cope with the rainy season. She leaves home by 4:00 a.m., uses Google Maps to navigate through traffic, or remains in the office until 9:00 p.m. to avoid gridlock. Uwadi lamented that the prolonged traffic during rainfall has increased her fuel consumption, reducing the number of days a full tank of fuel can last. 'A full tank lasts me about 10 days during normal weather, but when it rains continuously, it doesn't even last up to seven days because of traffic,' she said. For Mr. Timothy, who lives in Mafoluku and works in Surulere, the rainy season means spending beyond his already stretched monthly budget. 'I hate it when it rains. Instead of paying my usual N2,000 transport fare, I spend N3,000 or more,' he said. While commuters struggle with movement and expenses, traders have mixed experiences. Some traders, like Mrs. Adewunmi Yusuf, an umbrella seller at Ojota, have seen an increase in sales during the rainy season. 'On sunny days, I may sell only one or no umbrella. Once the rainy season starts, people rush to buy them. Some days, I sell more than 20,' she said. However, other traders, like Temitope Alakija at Mile 12 Market, have experienced reduced sales due to heavy flooding and customers' reluctance to visit the market during the rainy season. 'You can't ask your children to stay in your shop because rain usually comes unannounced and will destroy your goods. It is better not to open your shop at all than to leave your children in charge. Trading during the rainy season is not for the faint-hearted,' she said. Students, like Miss Chikaodinaka Agbo, a student at the University of Lagos, have also had to adapt to the rainy season by taking measures to protect their books and important documents from water damage.