Nigeria: Ondo town devastated by flood, thousands displaced

On October 4, a devastating flood struck several areas of Ondo town, Ondo State, NIgeria, causing damage estimated in millions of naira. 

The flood was triggered by heavy rainfall that persisted for several hours, submerging numerous houses and vehicles in affected neighbourhoods, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

Key areas impacted by the flood include Itanla, Oka, Odo Ijomu, Bethlehem, and sections of the Akure-Ondo Expressway. Many residents were forced to evacuate their homes as water levels rose, but fortunately, there were no reported casualties.

In response to the disaster, the state government has ordered immediate evacuations in the affected regions. Mr. Oyeniyi Oseni, the state Commissioner for Environment, announced on that rapid response measures were underway to prevent further damage. He assured residents that the government was taking necessary steps to mitigate future flooding.

To address the crisis, Amphibious Excavators have been deployed to critical erosion-prone areas across the state for dredging operations. The commissioner highlighted that the flooding was partly due to unlawful developments along waterways, particularly in an estate at Fagun and along the Ife road area. He emphasized the government's commitment to collaborating with relevant authorities to tackle these illegal developments.

By Khagan Isayev