Hundreds of residents in the Ayobo axis of Lagos were yesterday trapped after the early morning rain flooded the Marwa Bridge and submerged their homes.
It was gathered that the metals holding the bridge caved in as a result of the heavy flood, causing school children and those going about their businesses to fall into the water.
Reports say other road users quickly mobilised to rescue the victims before the flood could sweep them away while emergency workers were swiftly notified of the development.
Officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Fire Services, police and other stakeholders, it was gathered, rushed to the scene to prevent a stampede as the residents were already panicking.
Aside from the bridge, scores of houses and cars were submerged with occupants fleeing their homes for fear of drowning.
It was learnt that the affected communities included Oke Ishagun, Isale Aboru, Ikola, Olubodun Majiyagbe-Ajayi, Makinde Street, Olokowo Street and Adeola Street.
Some of the affected areas were said to have been flooded after the rainfall on Sunday and the water was yet to dry up before yesterday’s rain compounded the situation.
It was gathered that the area was worse hit as a result of the volume of water channeled through the bridge which was constructed by then Military Administrator, Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd) to take water from only 15 canals.
At the moment, it was gathered that the channel was receiving water from over 60 canals, thus overstretching its capacity by four times.
Residents lamented that the bridge was taking in more water than it was originally contracted to absorb, urging the government to upgrade the place so that it would accommodate more water thereby reducing the flood situation.
The over flooded river ran into nearby business centers, destroying wares such as caskets, gates, doors, furniture, bricks and destroyed houses.
Confirming the incident, the Lagos Office Coordinator of NEMA, Ibrahim Farinloye, said that 151 houses were affected by the flood, adding that there was no loss of lives nor injury.
He said the emergency workers were able to hold the bridge and also organize the people for ease of evacuation, noting that while some of them were successfully moved from their submerged homes, others were still there, against advise.