Heavy Rain Causes Flooding in Osun, Damages Bridge and Homes

A heavy downpour in Osun State has led to flooding in many communities. This has destroyed properties and damaged a bridge connecting Ijaregbe to Ilesa. Residents are calling on the state government to act fast to prevent more damage.

The rain that fell from Friday to Monday affected parts of Osogbo. Areas like Ayekale, Famson Area, Oke Baale, Sasa, and Ilesa Garage saw flooding. Our checks showed that Muroko Road in Ilesa was also flooded due to the overflow of the Ora River. The bridge that connects Ijaregbe to Ilesa got damaged after hours of rain on Monday, cutting off the community from the city.

In addition to Ijaregbe, places like Ijana, Ibala, Ayegunle, Idooko, and Eesun Ijesa faced flooding. This has disrupted movement for people and goods.

Two residents from Ayekale in Osogbo, Akin Olugbodi and Shekinat Olaegbe, reported losing their belongings due to the flooding. Olaegbe, who is a widow, spoke to The PUNCH on Monday. She said many houses were flooded and she lost important items.

"I lost valuables to flooding and many houses were flooded after heavy rain in Osogbo last Friday. The water channel in our area is blocked. Just a few hours of rain caused the water to overflow its banks. We live in fear of another flooding at any moment. It has been raining in our area for the past three hours. The government needs to act quickly," she said.

The Olomu of Ijaregbe, Oba Edward Adetimo, also commented on the rainfall's effects. In a phone call with The PUNCH on Monday, he confirmed that the bridge connecting his community to Ilesa was damaged after the heavy rain.

"The collapse of the bridge was caused by the heavy downpour at midnight. This morning (Monday), the House of Assembly member for Obokun State Constituency, Hon. Adewumi Adeyemi, and others came to check the situation. They assured us that officials from the Ministry of Works would come tomorrow to fix it temporarily until a full reconstruction is done. Our children going to schools in Ilesa could not go today. We appeal to the state government to quickly help us," the monarch said.

When we reached out, the Osun State Commissioner for Environment, Mayowa Adejoorin, mentioned that the government is taking steps to reduce the effects of flooding. He explained that flooding happens every season with heavy rainfall but said the situation has not reached an uncontrollable stage in the state.

He said, "Flooding is a seasonal issue worldwide whenever there is heavy and long rain. It has never reached an uncontrollable level in Osun State. This is due to the proactive measures of the state government. The Ministry of Environment and Sanitation always takes steps to lessen the negative effects of flooding before the annual rainy season starts.

"These measures include dredging waterways for better water flow, as well as campaigns to raise awareness against dumping waste in waterways. The recent flooding and the bridge collapse affecting Ilesa and nearby communities like Ijaregbe, Ijana, Ibala, Ayegunle, Idooko, and Eesun Ijesa are responsibilities of the Ministry of Works. I know they have already started working on it."