FEATURE.. Drowning in Filthy Waters: How Lagos Flooding Shuts Out Persons With Disabilities

Victor Odogwu, a 24-year-old visually impaired man, was navigating through floodwaters in Lagos when heavy rain caught up with him. After initially searching for help, he eventually received assistance from someone who guided him to a bus terminal. For many Lagos residents, the rainy season highlights the city's inadequate flood preparedness. For individuals with disabilities, the consequences can be even more severe.

Lagos is sinking at a rate of up to 3.4 inches (87 millimeters) per year, with areas like Oshodi, Mushin, and Gbagada Motorway particularly affected. A 2020 World Bank report estimates that the city loses around $4 billion annually due to floods, damaged infrastructure, and reduced productivity. For persons with disabilities (PWD), flooding is an annual and foreseeable challenge.

Odogwu, who lives alone and works remotely, faces difficulties even before reaching his office. He must navigate a service lane and a pedestrian bridge in the dark and cold to cross to his building. Often, he relies on verbal assistance from passersby to guide him across.

Emmanuella Oluchi, a polio survivor who works as a content strategist and scriptwriter, also adapts her routine during the rainy season. She leaves home early, using tricycles and motorcycles to commute, but avoids travel whenever possible. One rainy day, she fell from a motorcycle and had to return home early.

The rain extends beyond the roads, impacting residents' homes. Poor infrastructure, inadequate regulation, and weak enforcement contribute to the city's flooding problem. Inadequate drainage, blocked waterways, and poorly maintained infrastructure make it challenging for communities to cope with heavy rainfall. Additionally, buildings constructed on flood-prone land or near drainage channels exacerbate the issue when enforcement fails. For residents like Moremi, a visually impaired mother of two, flooding can endanger their homes.