The first torrential rainfall of the year poured heavily on Ibadan Friday evening with strong winds, wreaking havoc on some properties in the ancient city.

Residents of the Oyo State capital saw the rain, which started at about 5:30 p.m., damage some houses fenced with corrugated sheets and wood.

Ignorant residents seized the moment to illegally dispose of their wastes into the waterways, thereby blocking the gutters and waterways and hindering the free flow of water.

Some roads were consequently littered with dirt as the rain overflowed to the roads due to clogged drainages.

When the rains subsided at about 7:00 p.m., committees hitherto held by the downpour trooped to the roads causing traffic gridlock on the major roads.

A resident, Alice Aborishade, said it was imperative for residents to stop the habit of clogging waterways, so as to avert flooding.

“Let everyone take a cue from the past and stop the act of pouring dirt into waterways when it rains,” Mrs Aborishade said.

A community leader, Akin Amao, said the rain would help reduce heat being experienced and will bring comfort to all and sundry.

“I am sure farmers will be delighted as it has rained and it will help their preparation for farming this year.

“We need rain to be normal so that food prices will crash,” Mr Amao said.

Mayowa Oluyinka, another resident, said as most gutters are now blocked, it will require some shop owners to do extra work of clearing the dirt in the morning.

“We must ensure a clean environment to be free of health hazards and outbreak of diseases, especially now that the outbreak of Lassa fever has been reported in the state. We must ensure that we are safe from whatever that could be harmful,” Mr Oluyinka said.

(NAN)