Death toll in Nigeria's flood rises to 30

Heavy downpour in the Island city of 15 million people triggered the overflow of canals with water which poured into residential areas and major roads.

Eleven of the dead were children who drowned in the ensuing flood as the victims could not distinguish between the roads and drainage channels.

Dr Austin Arogun, Vice-chairman of Agbado Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area (LCDA), was quoted by the local media as saying that about 10 bodies were recovered from canals.

In Dopemu area, two persons were found dead in a soak-away while Agege area witnessed the highest number of casualties with about 20 drowned including 11 children.

Ten persons drowned and their bodies recovered from a canal at densely populated Iyana-Ikpaja including two women whereas in Surulere, a tricycle carrying four passengers drove into a canal leading to the death of all the passengers.

More dead bodies from several parts of the city were deposited at various hospital mortuaries around the state while the displaced persons were told to report to the state emergency centres near to them.

Schools remained closed yesterday on the instruction of Lagos state governor, Babatunde Fashola.

"Our major problem now is that the ocean level of both the Atlantic and Lagoon has increased drastically and it is more than usual, so my men are on the field to tackle it," Dr Femi Okei-Osunyitolu, the General Manager, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) said while confirming the deaths.

Director General of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Muhammad Sani-Sidi added that "The flood is unprecedented and caused by the length of rain, heavier downpour, blockage of water channels and drainages, indiscriminate dumping of refuse, building of houses along channels."

Lagos, a southern state was the capital of the oil-rich African country until December 12, 1991 when the capital was moved to Abuja.