Tears and anguish have taken over Osun State as displaced families count their losses following a devastating flood that ravaged Osogbo and other communities after days of torrential rainfall.
The flood, which fulfilled NiMet’s earlier warning, swept through Capital, Baruwa, Oke-Ayepe, Sasa, Ijetu, Famson Street and Gbodofon in the state capital, while outside Osogbo, Osunjela, Mukoro in Ilesa, Ijaregbe in Ijesa-Obokun and Kuti-Iwo were not spared.
Homes, shops and business premises were completely submerged, forcing thousands to flee with nothing but the clothes on their backs.
“We Ran For Our Lives”
In Zone 10, Oke-Arungbo, Capital area, about 200 residents were displaced, including the family of Nigerian Tribune correspondent, Dr. Adeolu Adeyemo, whose house was swallowed by water.
“I left home for work on Tuesday morning but returned to find my residence completely submerged. People had to run for their lives, leaving behind all their valuables,” Adeyemo recounted.
Chairman of Zone 10, Dr. Bisi Oluwadamilare, said the community had not seen such flooding since 2019, revealing that neighbouring Zones 11 and 12 were also badly hit. He begged emergency agencies to intervene.
Another victim, Mrs. Adesola Kayode, who is now homeless with her children, called on government to dredge rivers and waterways to prevent another disaster.
At Baruwa Estate, Ogo-Oluwa, the Osun River overflowed its banks, sacking residents overnight.
Government Blames Residents
But the Osun State Government says the disaster is self-inflicted.
Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation, Mayowa Adejoorin, who toured the areas, blamed indiscriminate dumping of refuse and illegal structures on waterways.
“We moved around and observed that this flooding is often self-inflicted, like indiscriminate dumping of refuse across waterways. We identified some structures at the riverbank like shops and kiosks, and even houses, that affected free flow of water including drainages that are blocked,” he said.
As families sleep in churches, schools and relatives’ houses tonight, they are asking one question: who will help them start again?
