Rain in Lagos is rarely ever just rain. What starts as a light drizzle can quickly turn into flooded roads, endless traffic, cancelled plans and unexpected adventures. Whether you’ve lived in the city for years or you’re experiencing your first rainy season, here are seven things you should never do once it starts raining in Lagos.
Here are 10 things every Lagosian has experienced in pubic transport.
1. Underestimate the rain
Lagos rain acts like its people, we don’t do things “small”.
It can start as a small drizzle, convince you to leave the house, then suddenly become the main character. Before you know it, you’re swimming through floodwater and fighting traffic.
Lagos weather enjoys humbling people.
2. Trust PHCN
Every Lagosian knows rain and the power authority are sworn enemies. Once you hear the first thunder, just expect power to disappear without notice. And if you’re unlucky, your street transformer might also decide to sacrifice itself to the rain gods.
Just know you’ll be in darkness till further notice.
3. Drive Just Any Car
Rainy season is when SUVs suddenly become celebrities in Lagos.
If your car is already low to the ground, don’t let confidence convince you that you can “manage”, you’re not Yakubu. Don’t bother driving the car or face the billing and swimming that comes after.
4. Expect Normal Traffic
As if anything in Lagos is ever normal. Once it starts raining, traffic becomes abnormal. Lagos rain and gridlock are a buy-one-get-one-free package
And when you finally get home, don’t be surprised if one part of your car decided to remain behind as a souvenir for the flood.
5. Visit Lekki
Heavy rain and Lekki are in a serious situationship, and somehow traffic always gets invited too.
You think you’ve experienced Lagos traffic? Wait until it rains in Lekki. Legendary.
Lagosians already know to avoid places like Agungi, Osapa and Kusenla. Visit at your own risk.
6. Call Your Sneaky Link
One call. Small rain. Then flood. Then heavy rain. Before you know it, it’s “from one bottle to two bottles, from two bottles, the thing keep on increasing”.
That’s it. That’s all. IYKYK.
7. Expect Your Dispatch Rider
We hate to break it to you, but they are currently hiding under a filling station canopy waiting for the rain to stop. And if you’re unlucky, they can decide to use your order to “comfort” themselves.
The riders that eventually make it to you in one piece are the real heroes, ngl, because the moment rain starts, every delivery app enters survival mode.
