Flood hits Ondo State, displaces residents, properties worth millions

October 05, 2024

By Samuel Ogunsona

A devastating flood swept through several communities in Ondo State on Friday, leaving a trail of destruction and displacement in its wake.

The affected areas include Itanla, Oka, Odo Ijomu, Bethlehem, and the Akure-Ondo Expressway.

Heavy rainfall lasting several hours caused the flood, which submerged houses and vehicles, forcing many residents out of their homes.

The State Government swiftly responded by ordering evacuations in the affected areas and initiating rapid response measures to mitigate further damage.

According to Ondo State Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Oyeniyi Oseni, the government has put in place necessary measures to prevent future flooding. This includes deploying amphibious excavators to critical erosion-prone areas for dredging.

The commissioner informed that “the cause of the flooding on Friday also could be attributed to development on waterways in an estate at Fagun and along Ife road area of the community.”

This recent flooding incident is not an isolated event, as Ondo State has experienced similar disasters in the past.

In 2018, flash floods destroyed over 4,500 houses and displaced thousands of residents ¹. Similarly, in 2023, an ocean surge wreaked havoc on the coastal community of Ayetoro, rendering many homeless and destroying properties worth millions of naira.