Heavy rainfall has caused widespread flooding across several communities in Osun State, damaging property and leaving a key bridge linking Ijaregbe with Ilesa severely affected.
The downpour, which lasted intermittently from Friday to Monday, flooded parts of Osogbo, including Ayekale, Famson Area, Oke Baale, Sasa and Ilesa Garage.
In Ilesa, the overflow of the Ora River resulted in flooding along Muroko Road, while the bridge connecting Ijaregbe to Ilesa was damaged after several hours of intense rainfall on Monday.
The development has disrupted the movement of residents, goods and services between Ijaregbe and Ilesa. Other affected communities include Ijana, Ibala, Ayegunle, Idooko and Eesun Ijesa.
Residents of Ayekale, Osogbo, said the flooding destroyed valuables and affected several homes.
A resident, Shekinat Olaegbe, said the situation had become a major concern for residents, blaming blocked water channels for worsening the flooding.
She said residents were worried about further flooding as rainfall continued in the area and appealed to the government to intervene urgently.
The Olomu of Ijaregbe, Oba Edward Adetimo, also confirmed the damage to the bridge, saying the structure was affected by the heavy rainfall around midnight on Monday.
According to the monarch, the House of Assembly member representing Obokun State Constituency, Adewumi Adeyemi, visited the area with other officials to assess the situation.
He said residents were informed that officials from the Ministry of Works would provide a temporary solution while plans for full reconstruction were considered.
The damaged bridge has also affected schoolchildren travelling from Ijaregbe to Ilesa.
Responding to the situation, the Osun State Commissioner for Environment, Mayowa Adejoorin, said the government had already implemented measures aimed at reducing the impact of flooding across the state.
Adejoorin said such flooding was associated with heavy and prolonged rainfall, adding that the state had undertaken measures including the dredging of waterways and public awareness campaigns against dumping refuse in drainage channels.
He noted that the damaged bridge and box culvert linking Ilesa with surrounding communities fell primarily under the responsibility of the Ministry of Works, which he said had commenced action on the situation.
The affected communities are now awaiting further intervention to restore access and prevent additional damage if heavy rainfall continues.
