by Adeola Balogun

An unusual downpour has been witnessed in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital as the rain has been pouring since Sunday evening with little respite.

Activities in the ancient city were paralyzed all through Monday and at least 7 people are feared dead.

According to reports, the areas worst hit were the Oluyole, Arapaja, Akala new extension and Lao hospital areas of the city.

The downpour also created heavy traffic snarl in major parts of the city, especially Mokola, Agbarigo, Onireke, Dugbe and Apata. Some residents of the affected area, it was gathered, have started relocating for fear of been washed away by the flood.

It was gathered that some people in Oluyole area fell into a collapsed bridge that was covered by the flood from the heavy downpour. In the same area, it was gathered that a man who attempted crossing the road was also washed away.

Some commercial motorcycle and tricycle operators, who were not aware that the bridge had caved in, also fell into the flood and were swept away.

A source at the state Fire Service department confirmed the development. The source however could confirm only two deaths. The Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Olabisi Ilobanafor, said the police was informed of the death of an old man, an okada rider and his passenger.

Several efforts made to contact the Chairman of the Caretaker Chairman of Oluyole Local Government, Ayodeji Abass, were unsuccessful as his phone was switched off.

As at the time of filing this report, the rain was still drizzling.

Governor Abiola Ajimobi’s administration had embarked on the dredging of most rivers in the city and construction of drainage in order to avoid a repeat of August 26, 2011 flood disaster in the state, which led to several deaths.