Heavy rainfall wash off bridges, roads in Ondo

Following the torrential rainfall in various parts of Ondo State in the last few days, some bridges and roads in the state have been washed off.

The situation affected residents who as a result are unable to access farms, markets and workplaces.

The torrential rain, which has been falling for the past week, caused devastating floods in Uso community in the Owo Local Council Area as well as communities in Akoko South West, Ilaje, Ese Odo, and Okitipupa local councils.

With the development also affecting many houses and livelihoods as well as property worth millions of naira, residents of the affected communities described the flood as unprecedented due to the magnitude of destruction caused by the downpour.

While appealing to the state government and relevant agencies to support them with relief materials and financial assistance to rebuild their lives and businesses, affected residents disclosed the flood was more devastating due to the blocked drainage systems.

A community leader in Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje Local Council, Zebulon Emaye, described the disaster as the worst in the town’s history, stating that lack of proper drainage and poor street layouts in the town contributed to the situation.

Also, a resident of Okitipupa, Jonathan Akintunde, emphasised the need for those that have been rendered homeless to, as a matter of importance, be catered for.

Akintunde said, “The amount of rainfall that we have witnessed in the last few days has been staggering. The rain is back-to-back with those whose houses were flooded not able to salvage their belongings.

“We are appealing to the state government to please come to our rescue. The people need to be immediately taken care of because there is no sign of the rain stopping soon.”