By Blessing Eloghene
The Ekiti State Government has warned residents against attempting to cross flooded roads, bridges, streams and other water channels as heavy rainfall continues to cause flooding in parts of the state.
The government specifically cautioned motorists, commercial transport operators, motorcycle riders and pedestrians against underestimating the dangers posed by floodwaters, urging them to seek alternative routes or remain in safe locations until the water recedes.
The warning, issued by the State Commissioner for Information, Taiwo Olatunbosun, followed heavy rainfall recorded in Ado-Ekiti and other parts of the state in recent days, which resulted in flooding and affected properties, businesses and livelihoods.
Olatunbosun also expressed the government’s sympathy to residents whose properties and means of livelihood were affected by the flooding.
He urged residents to exercise extreme caution during periods of heavy rainfall, stressing that the apparent shallowness of floodwater should not be taken as an indication that a road or water channel is safe to cross.
He further advised parents and guardians to ensure that children are kept away from flooded drainage channels, riverbanks and other locations where fast-moving water could pose a danger.
The Commissioner also urged residents to seek shelter in safe and elevated locations during heavy rainfall and refrain from attempting to cross flooded routes.
The statement read in part: “The Ekiti State Government has again urged residents and travellers across the State to exercise extreme caution as heavy rainfall continues to trigger flooding in some parts of the State.
“The advisory followed heavy rainfall experienced in Ado-Ekiti and other parts of the State in recent days, which resulted in flooding in some locations and affected properties, businesses and means of livelihood.
“The State Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Taiwo Olatunbosun, in a statement made available to the press, expressed the Government’s heartfelt sympathy to residents whose properties, businesses and livelihoods were affected by the flooding.
“Olatunbosun stressed that the Government had not been unaware of the possibility of intense rainfall, noting that it had, ahead of the latest incident, commenced sustained public sensitisation on the impending heavy rains as predicted by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), urging residents to exercise caution and take necessary safety measures.
“He said the sensitisation was aimed at ensuring that residents remained alert to weather forecasts, avoided vulnerable areas and took appropriate precautions whenever heavy rainfall occurred.
“The Commissioner also disclosed that, in response to concerns arising from the flooding, he had directly addressed residents protesting around the Pathfinder/Aayemi Garage area along the Iworoko Road, where flooding had generated significant concerns among residents and road users.
“He added that he also appeared on a simulcast programme to further explain the situation, the Government’s interventions and the precautionary measures expected of residents.
“While acknowledging the concerns arising from the flooding, Olatunbosun urged residents to remain calm, exercise caution and cooperate with relevant authorities as efforts continue to address the situation and minimise further risks.
“He noted that flooding associated with intense rainfall was not peculiar to Ekiti State, as similar incidents had been reported in parts of Akure, Osun, Oyo, Lagos and Delta States, as well as in other parts of the world, underscoring the increasingly unpredictable nature of extreme weather events.
“The Commissioner said the warnings contained in weather forecasts by NiMet underscored the need for heightened vigilance and strict adherence to safety measures during periods of heavy rainfall.
“He assured residents that the Ekiti State Government, under the leadership of Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, had continued to implement measures aimed at mitigating flooding and protecting lives and property.”
