Several houses and business places have been submerged in Ekiti State as Ureje River overflown its bank, following a torrential rainfall in Ado Ekiti, the state capital on Tuesday evening.
Heavy flooding caused by the downfall which lasted for about five hours had overran vehicles, buildings along Federal Polytechnic Road and wreaked havoc on the surroundings and other properties.
It was also gathered that five persons narrowly escaped being drowned while they were trying to navigate the heavily-flooded bridge into the town, when they were swept off by the fast flowing water.
Also commuters from other states and other parts of Ekiti to Ado Ekiti and those traveling out of the capital city to another town or state, were trapped for several hours, waiting for the water level to subside before crossing.
There was a serious gridlock which extended from the Ureje Bridge to Saint Paul’s Anglican Church at Odo Ado, Ado Ekiti, a distance of about two and half kilometres due to the development.
An eyewitness told newsmen in Ado Ekiti, on Wednesday, that the victims, who could have been drowned, were hurriedly rescued by some Hausa divers, who were around the bridge to assist the aged to cross the flooded area.
He said, “The five victims were struggling to cross the bridge with high and heavily tidal water level when suddenly they were overran and were washed away by water. The people who were waiting at the far end of the bridge quickly raised the alarm which attracted the Hausa divers, who quickly jumped into the river to save them”.
Meanwhile, property worth several millions of naira were damaged in areas like Emirin Estate, Adebayo, Ita Eku and Ilupeju Avenue, when the flood surged into some buildings during the heavy downpour.
Our correspondent observed that several properties were also damaged around the flooded bridge , including cars parked near the area, while a Block industry and a nearby church were totally submerged by water.
About 10 buildings were affected in Emirin Estate, while the occupants lost valuables worth millions of naira.
One of the victims, Mrs Julianah Ajulo, said the family lost property worth over N3 million to the flooding, calling on the government to render help to bail them out of the horrible situation.
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