By Bose Adelaja

NOBODY initially envisaged any danger when it began to rain in most parts of the country last July 10. Being a weekend, many families had relaxation in mind, especially after returning from church service.

But like a thief in the night, the aftermath of the downpour left many in tears. Presently most of the affected families can hardly make ends meet as they have been forced into penury. On that fateful Sunday, many buildings were submerged in water and property which monetary value could not be quantified were swept away by flood.

*Household items damaged by the flood in front of couple's home. INSET: Joy

A couple, Ogechukwu and Joy Ezeigwe, both residents of Aviation Estate, are among the numerous Lagosians whose sources of livelihood have been ruined by the downpour. As at today, the couple barely have hope of survival, reason being that their three-bedroom apartment at No 18, Ade-Idowu Street at the Aviation Estate  was submerged in water.

Not only that, the apartment was also gutted by fire same day, while all other personal effects, including their boutique business were  submerged in flood.

Apart from various gadgets in the house, the couple who hail from Imo State also own two cars with which they run a mobile boutique in Lagos. The cars were usually packed in the compound after the day’s business.

In an emotion-laden voice, the couple who spoke with Vanguard Metro said they had no inkling of impending flood when they came back from church. “None of us envisaged any danger after returning home from church.

The house was lively as we entertained our mother in-law who had earlier paid us a visit from the village and we gathered in the sitting room to watch interesting programmes on TV,” they chorused.

According to them, they did not attempt to go out since there was no need to do so. “Since none of us had an assignment outside the flat, it was difficult for us to know that flood was gathering momentum in the compound until a co-tenant raised an alarm around 3pm.

But then it was too late as the entire compound had been submerged in water,’’ said the couple.

The flood which penetrated through Ezeigwe’s kitchen later spread to other rooms in the house before help could come. But thankfully they managed to save themselves from being swept away by the flood.

When Vanguard Metro visited the area,  Joy and her husband were squatting with a family friend as they narrated how they watched helplessly while their possessions were submerged in water.

‘’While we scrambled to safety, a neighbor raised an alarm that a building had been razed but nobody could turn back as a result of the flood. We had to leave everything till the following day before the extent of damage was ascertained,’’ said Joy.

The couple claimed the flood on Ade-Idowu and adjourning streets was occasioned by a construction work on Ajibulu link which started about three years ago.

‘’As soon as the job commenced, the contractor blocked the canal. And for the past three years this had hindered free flow of water in the community,” they said.

Presently, things have turned upside down for this couple as they can neither put food on their table nor continue in business.

‘’ Our source of livelihood has been crippled, we have laboured for many years and all our labour has been destroyed in one day. Where do we turn to? Please help us to survive,’’ they appealed to well meaning Nigerians.