The Deadly Flood That Wrecked Ibadan

Oluyele-6

Residents of Ibadan, capital of Oyo State have begun to count their losses as a result of a heavy down pour that rocked the city Friday night. Many houses and fences collapsed and many cars were swept away. At Odo Ona, a new born baby that was to be named Saturday was declared missing. Some roads such as Awolowo and Parliament were buried in flood.

Although the census of the dead was still being carried out, property worth millions was destroyed. People were also cut off from other parts of the city as some inter-connecting bridges were washed away by the flood.

Several people were also trapped in their houses as many houses are submerged in the flood. Many were seen on roof tops and on trees in areas like Opere Village around Podo and New Garage around Orita Challenge area.

In Odo Ona, houses are submerged and rescue operations were being carried out Saturday by people in the area with the help of local divers.

While about a thousand people were stranded at the river bank where the bridge had been swept away at Ogbere Babanla area, four men who attempted to swim across the river to the other side were seen being swept away.

Also, at Gaga Engineering Road at Orita Challenge Area, a house and a New Covenant Church were said to have collapsed.

Badly hit by the flood are areas like Apete, Eleyele, Ogbere Babanla, Orogun, Yemetu, Oluyole, Elebu, Bodija Ashi, Oke-Ayo, Odo Ona, Apata, and Odo-Ona Elewe.

Oyo State Deputy Governor, Mr. Moses Adeyemo Alake who was on an on-site assessment with the press crew pointed out that the government has contacted a private firm in Lagos to send helicopters to assist in the rescue mission.

The Chairman of Oluyole Local Government, Prince Ayodeji Aleshiloye assured that the government was on top of the situation adding that all means were being employed to salvage the situation.

At the Polytechnic Ibadan, and University of Ibadan, most of the hostels were flooded and many trees fell.

In Eleyele area of Ibadan, the Water Works compounded the woes of the people in the adjoining area, by releasing excess water from its dam.

A pathetic report received at Odo Ona revealed that a new born baby that was to be named today was declared missing as a result of the flood and the people around are frantically searching for the baby.

Secretary, Oyo State Emergency Management Authority, Pastor Amos Abegunde, assured that help was on the way as the government has called for assistance from neigbouring states such as Lagos to help to rescue people trapped in their houses.

 

By Gbenro Adesina

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