Human and vehicular movements were disrupted on Tuesday after heavy rainfall flooded the Tomline section of Lagos Road in Benin, Edo State.

The downpour, which started around midday, caused severe gridlock as motorists were forced to use only one of the four lanes leading to the Uselu and University of Benin axis.

Some motorists turned back over fears that their vehicles could break down in the flood.

Commercial bus drivers, however, continued to ply the route despite the condition of the road.

One of the drivers, Rueben Osas, said he had no option but to continue working while hoping his vehicle would withstand the flood.

“There is nothing we can do other than continue with our work and hope that our vehicles do not break down. However, the state government can help fix the road so that this yearly flooding in this area will become a thing of the past,” he said.

Most businesses in the area were also shut as owners gathered around the flooded road.

A business owner, who identified himself simply as John, described the recurring flooding as an embarrassment to the state.

He said the persistent flooding had negatively affected businesses in the area, adding that relocating remained the best option, although the economic situation had made that difficult.

John appealed to Governor Monday Okpebholo to extend ongoing road rehabilitation works to the affected area.

“It has become a yearly problem. It hampers our businesses and one can only hope that the Governor will also look at repairing the road just like he is doing on Sapele Road,” he said.