Some streets in Akure metropolis are known for flooding. They include Odokoyi, Aiyedun, Eyinala, Isinkan, Airways and Ijoka road among others.
This year is not an exception as these streets have witnessed flooding of recent. It however took a dangerous dimension last week as a middle aged man lost his life while rescuing a pregnant woman at Eyinala area in Akure South local government area of the state.
Experts are of the opinion that lack of sewage system is one of the contributing factors to the problem. Thus, floods occur in area where there are no drainage system as well as areas with narrow gutters as soon as there is a little downpour of rain in the city, there will be flood.
Dropping of human wastes is another. This invariably leads to blockage of drainages. It has been observed that each time rain falls, you find children and adults emptying their household wastes into the drainage. These wastes usually block the drainage system and the surface run-off increases thereby flooding the roads and houses. It becomes difficult sometimes during this period to drive because sharp objects which sometimes accompany such wastes could deflate tyres. Houses that are constructed on low terrain are worst hit by flood because they easily get flooded.
Building close to river valley makes such structure highly susceptible to flooding. Thus, any street or building that is very close to river banks stands the risk of experiencing annual flood. This is because water must definitely take its normal course. In the same way a flooded valley allows water to encroach to its adjoining environment and any structure on its way becomes the first casualty.
ANOTHER major factor influencing flood occurrence in Akure is drainage failure. It is very common to find drainage system that are no longer functioning or had failed without attention being paid to it. In such circumstances, the flooded water makes use of the traffic corridor instead of the drainage . We observe that a very high proportion of people living in the flood prone area in the state capital still dispose off their refuse into the gutters especially when it is raining. This method aggravates flooding that often leads to flooding of streets. We insist that such attitude should stop. Thus, people should be educated on how to properly dispose their wastes.
CHANNELIZATION is one of the major ways by which flood could be controlled in the study area. The river valley as well as gutters channeling water should be properly monitored during rainy seasons to ensure that they are not blocked in any way. Free movement of water in these channels will reduce flood occurrence during the peak of rainy season
WE feel that town planning laws that would reduce the scourge of flood in Akure should not only be implemented but be enforced.
WE feel that the problem of Akure has become a perennial issue in the state capital and there is a need to give it a permanent solution.
The Hope
