Houses, vehicles submerged as flood pounds Ondo

Scores of residents have been sacked from their various homes with houses and vehicles submerged following the flash flood that hit Ondo town in Ondo State.
Many canals and bridges overflowed, causing several electric poles to fall, raising fears of possible electrocution among displaced residents.
Peoples Gazette learned that the rain started on Friday while many residents and motorists were moving going about their activities.
However, no life was lost, but residents who returned to their homes met water everywhere in the compound.
The downpour caused traffic jams as some of the motorists were trapped on the road, struggling to move ahead.
In a video footage obtained by our reporter, about 15 vehicles were trapped in the flood while in traffic as people rallied to prevent water from extending further by using concrete pillars as stoppage.
A motorist, Oluwaseun Ogunmola, who was trapped in the flood, lamented during an interview.
Mr Ogunmola described the flood as a ‘big disaster,’ noted that many motorists could not move ahead due to the heavy flooding.
He said, “We are stuck in traffic because of the flood. As Ii speak with you, many of us are stuck and we can’t even move ahead. It is a big disaster. Many cars have been submerged, including stores and houses in Ondo town. Some of us have resulted in self-help to pave way for drivers.’’
The Commissioner for Environment, Oseni Oyeniyi, could not be immediately reached for comments.
But one of his aides, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that the ministry had been alerted to the flood incident.
“We got informed about the incident a few hours ago. The ministry is doing everything within its capacity to ensure residents are safe,” he told The Gazette.
The flood in Ondo is coming barely a few weeks after the National Emergency Management Agency advised communities at risk of flooding, especially those residing along waterways, to relocate to safer higher ground in preparation for the rainy season.
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