By Ganiyu Agbelusi
Rain is usually associated with blessings in this part of the world especially in an agrarian society like Idanre in Ondo State because of its numerous benefits the people derive from it. However, the one that fell on Friday June 26, 2020 evening around 7pm when some people were about putting their heads on pillows in Idanre kingdom left scary tales of woes.
The rainstorm came stealthily and caught the people unaware as nothing portends a dangerous outing for the natural phenomenon. Within just about 30 minutes, houses had been “beheaded”.
Mrs Adenike Afolabi, a resident said her son nearly lost his life as they heard loud noise that heralded the removal of the roof of the one storey building built by her father-in-law who died years ago. As at the time of visit, the family members were distributed to neighbours houses with some of their loads still in the open.
Mr. Clement Fagun ‘s case on the fateful day was more of Tragic comedy in nature. He told The Hope that he had arrived home and in front of his house waiting for the rain to subside when wicked rainstorm came and brought the roof of his father’s house not far away to pin him down inside his car. He was luckier than a woman, now buried, who was living around Mama Chikodi Restaurant, Sabo, Alade Idanre. She died as a result of wall that was said to have fallen on her.
Those at Idimilokun, Alade Idanre and Palace Road, Atosin Idanre were not the only people affected. At Ile Ibukun Street, from Starlight Junction towards the Police Station road, trails of the rainstorm disaster are still very obvious like a war battle zone when The Hope visited the area.
The streets were littered with debris of roofs brought from various places and also wood planks from buildings elsewhere. Mrs Akinsida Bola of 1, Ile Bukun Street, Alade Idanre lamented that her one storey building had its roof blown off and her property destroyed by the rainstorm.
She explained how helpless they were because the original owner of the house died some years ago. She pleaded for government to help the family.
Corporate organizations were not spared of the destructive impact of the rainstorm. The General Hospital, Alade Idanre had its car park torn into shreds while electric poles of BEDC were uprooted and its cables destroyed.
While the General Hospital had removed its spoilt beyond repair car park, the electricity distribution company was busy making frantic efforts to salvage the situation. Mr. Osahon, an Administrative Officer of BEDC said they were busy trying to ensure that normalcy was restored as soon as possible.