Key Takeaways
- Torrential rainfall caused severe flooding in several parts of Ondo State, including the Lagos–Ore–Benin Expressway.
- The flooding displaced residents, destroyed properties, and caused heavy traffic congestion along the Lagos–Ore–Benin corridor.
- Many vehicles were damaged, and commuters were stranded on their way to work due to the flooding.
- No casualties were reported, but families were displaced, and livelihoods were disrupted.
A torrential rainfall that swept across several parts of Ondo State on Wednesday submerged a section of the Lagos–Ore–Benin Expressway in Odigbo Local Government Area, displaced residents, and destroyed properties worth millions of naira. The flooding, triggered by hours of continuous rainfall, overwhelmed major roads and communities, leaving motorists stranded and causing heavy traffic congestion along the Lagos–Ore–Benin corridor, a critical route for the movement of passengers, petroleum products, and goods.
In Ondo town, the headquarters of Ondo West Local Government Area, floodwaters inundated key locations, including Itanla Junction, Onipakala Junction, and the UNIMED Road axis. Several vehicles were damaged in the affected areas, including those belonging to staff members of the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), while many commuters were caught in the disruption on their way to work.
Impact on Communities
The impact of the flooding was also felt in Odigbo, Irele, Ode-Aye, and Igbokoda, where residents were forced to abandon their homes and seek refuge in safer locations as rising water levels submerged houses and business premises. Many residents attributed the severity of the flooding to prolonged rainfall and blocked drainage channels.
A traveller, Joshua Oladele, described the experience on the Lagos–Ore–Benin Expressway as traumatic and called for urgent government action. He said, “Everyone was stuck. No one imagined that this road (Lagos-Ore-Benin Highway) would be affected by floods. Urgent intervention by the government should be on the road to prevent future situations such as this.”
Responding to the situation, the Ondo State Government expressed sympathy with affected residents, families, and communities, acknowledging the losses and challenges caused by the disaster. The Commissioner for Environment, Tob Loko, said several flood-prone areas had previously been identified and mapped for intervention, adding that recent videos and photographs had revealed additional locations requiring urgent attention.
Government Response
According to Loko, “It may not be possible to reach all affected areas at the same time, but the state government remains committed to addressing the challenge through coordinated, strategic, and sustained efforts.” Loko stated that amphibious excavators were being deployed through the Office of the Special Assistant to the Governor on Technical and Ecological Control to strategic locations for emergency clearing and channelisation activities.
He further urged residents to report flooding incidents and environmental concerns promptly to the Ministry of Environment and other relevant agencies to support ongoing mitigation efforts. The government's commitment to addressing the flooding issue is a positive step towards preventing future disasters and protecting the lives and properties of residents.
Why This Matters
The flooding in Ondo State is a stark reminder of the importance of environmental planning and management in preventing disasters and protecting the lives and properties of residents. It highlights the need for urgent government action to address the root causes of flooding and provide support to affected communities.