An unusual downpour has been witnessed in Ibadan, the Oyo State
capital as the rain has been pouring since Sunday evening with little
respite.
Activities in the ancient city were paralyzed all through Monday and at least 7 people are feared dead.
According to reports, the areas worst hit were the Oluyole, Arapaja, Akala new extension and Lao hospital areas of the city.
The downpour also created heavy traffic snarl in major parts of the
city, especially Mokola, Agbarigo, Onireke, Dugbe and Apata. Some
residents of the affected area, it was gathered, have started relocating
for fear of been washed away by the flood.
It was gathered that some people in Oluyole area fell into a
collapsed bridge that was covered by the flood from the heavy downpour.
In the same area, it was gathered that a man who attempted crossing the
road was also washed away.
Some commercial motorcycle and tricycle operators, who were not aware
that the bridge had caved in, also fell into the flood and were swept
away.
A source at the state Fire Service department confirmed the
development. The source however could confirm only two deaths. The Oyo
State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Olabisi Ilobanafor, said the
police was informed of the death of an old man, an okada rider and his
passenger.
Several efforts made to contact the Chairman of the Caretaker
Chairman of Oluyole Local Government, Ayodeji Abass, were unsuccessful
as his phone was switched off.
As at the time of filing this report, the rain was still drizzling.
Governor Abiola Ajimobi’s administration had embarked on the dredging
of most rivers in the city and construction of drainage in order to
avoid a repeat of August 26, 2011 flood disaster in the state, which led
to several deaths.
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