A major highway in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, has been taken over by massive flood, making passage difficult for residents and motorists plying the road.
The flood was as a result of a downpour experienced in the city in the last one week, which also rendered many residents homeless.
Property worth millions of naira, including houses, cars and household items have also been destroyed by the flood.
The Ado-Iworoko Road, a federal highway, which leads to the Ekiti State University (EKSU), and communities in Ekiti North senatorial district, has been rendered impassable by a large pool of flood very close to Ayemi Garage and Pathfinder.
Motorists, motorcyclists and pedestrians have been shut out of one lane of the road while the other lane is also under threat as the Elemi River has overflowed its bank, spilling large pool of water to the highway.
The flooded road caused a huge traffic snarl, as many motorists were afraid of entering the flood to proceed on their trips.
In the same vein, hundreds of residents of Olorunda and Olorunsogo areas have been sacked from their homes by the raging flood.
A visit to the affected areas by newsmen yesterday showed the residents wearing mournful looks on the calamity that befell them.
One of the victims, Oluwafemi Joseph, called for the assistance of the state and federal governments in constructing drainage and channels to tackle the flood.
Commuters along Ado-Iworoko Road, Agbaje Adedoyin and Adesoye Subulade, also demanded construction of modern bridge to ease free flow of water.
It will be recalled that a commercial motorcyclist was swept off by flood at the same spot last year and his body was not found until two days after.
Meanwhile, flood submerged no less than 1,000 residential houses in Etsako Central Local Government Area of Edo State following Monday’s downpour in the area.
It was also gathered that hectares of farmland with cash crops and property worth millions of naira were also destroyed.
The affected produce included cassava, yam, maize, groundnuts, and plantain.
The communities affected are Anegbette, Udaba, Osomegbe, Ugochi, Ofukpo, Agbaburu and Ifeko.
Some of the victims, who spoke with newsmen, blamed the flood on the surge of River Niger.
The Village Head of Udaba, Chief David Inetape, expressed shock over the incident, saying that the entire communities were now flooded.
“The situation is now having negative effects in our communities. We are appealing to the federal and state governments for help,’’ Inetape said.
Credit: Guardian