Hundreds of residents were yesterday afternoon sacked from their homes and vehicles nearly submerged after flash floods affected Ekoro, Ajisebiara-Mecca, Akowonjo, Oko Oba and Egbeda areas of Lagos State.
The flood was said to have been caused by heavy rains that saw the canal overflowing its banks, also fell several electric poles, and caused fears of electrocution.
It was gathered that the rains started around 1:20pm.
The Nation gathered that some residents returned to their homes only to find water everywhere.
Some of the residents were said to have hurriedly moved their wards to safety while others battled to salvage their appliances already in the water.
At least 25 vehicles were said to have been flooded while in traffic as people made emergency dams with concrete pillars tried to prevent the water from spreading further.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) appealed to motorists plying the axis to be very cautious.
NEMA’s Southwest Coordinator, Ibrahim Farinloye said emergency workers were currently undertaking enumeration of affected houses in the various communities.
He said the electricity distribution company in charge of the areas had been contacted to isolate them in order to prevent electrocution.
Farinloye said: “Motorists and residents of Ekoro Junctions, Ajisebiara-Mecca, Akowonjo and Egbeda are advised to exercise utmost caution as a result of electricity poles that fell on the ground. They should be patient because there is serious traffic in the area. Disco has been contacted to isolate the areas to avoid electrocution.
“Upon assessment, about 25 vehicles were found to have their engines affected with floodwaters and the owners have been advised to avoid driving the vehicles until the engines dry up. We do not have any report of death.
“More LASTMA men have been deployed to enhance effective traffic control. The flash flood was as a result of rainfall and it affected many buildings. We are yet to know the total number of buildings involved but they are many.
“The flash flood overflew the canal and entered into residential houses, fell electric poles and disrupted business activities,” he said.
