Residents recount ordeal as flood submerges houses in Ekiti
…Properties worth Millions destroyed
By Mike Adebayo, Ado-Ekiti
No fewer than ten houses were submerged by flooding at different locations in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital after a terrible torrential downpour which rendered hundreds of people homeless in the state, Nigerian NewsDirect reports.
The disaster which was traced to the accumulated waters from almost three days heavy downpour were said to have lasted several hours which eventually caused a serious setback to the residents.
Our Correspondent reliably gathered that the worst-hit areas are Balemo and Tinuola Areas, off Afao road in Ado-Ekiti, where the flood had surged into over ten buildings and destroyed property worth millions of naira.
In a chat with one of the victims, comrade Blessing Oladele, revealed to Nigerian NewsDirect in Ado-Ekiti, that the erosion that flows from Christ’s School areas, had massed with other tributaries and Elemi Stream, which resulted in a fast-flowing flood that ravaged the area.
According to him, “The flooding was caused by the erosion that flows down from Christ’s School at Fajuyi area and coupled with the fact that Elemi stream along Iworoko road that flows downward overflowed its bank and these two massings generated that flood that destroyed some houses in our area.
“It affected about ten buildings and we would record casualties, but for the fact that we quickly ran out of our buildings with our wives and children to seek refuge in safer neighbouring houses.
He further lamented that, “Apart from affecting some of the building walls and foundations, we have lost other valuables like electronics, clothing materials, beddings, chairs, rugs, kitchen utensils to this flooding.
“The carnal was dredged during the first term of Governor Kayode Fayemi, but it has been blocked by debris which I believe caused the blockade that led to the flood,” he stated.
Another victim, Mr Sunday Ojo, appealed to the government to dredge the affected carnal identified as the main cause of the destructive flooding.
“The carnal at Tinuola area needed to be dredged to be able to contain the water from upland. I also advise that dredging of Elemi stream will help in controlling erosion, because each time it overflows its bank, it will push water backwards that will affect that section and other adjoining areas,” he said.
Speaking with Our Correspondent in a separate interview, the Chairman, Ekiti State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Captain Sunday Adebomi said the agency was aware of the incident and that the needful would be done in due time.
The SEMA boss stated that his agency will go for an on-the-spot assessment to know the extent of damage and how best to intervene to control flooding in the area.
