Heartbroken merchants in Shasha Market, Oke-Baale, Osogbo, have been left devastated.

They at the moment are counting their losses after a heavy downpour that fell on Saturday night submerged their stalls resulting in lack of their items and wares.

The heavy rainfall, which lasted for greater than two hours, additionally pressured a whole lot of residents to flee their houses within the space.

A go to to the realm revealed that though no life was misplaced, many homes, retailers and kiosks have been submerged, whereas meals gadgets have been washed away.

One of the affected trades, Rufai Bello, stated he rushed to the realm to avoid wasting of his items earlier than the place was flooded.

He lamented that lots of the merchants have been caught unawares and fled for security because the water started to rise.

He additionally acknowledged that on account of their incapacity to salvage their items, they suffered losses.

Another affected dealer, Wakeel Alakuko stated he and different merchants have been caught unawares they usually have been solely in a position to take just a few gadgets away from the store earlier than the flood took over.

He stated, “It has been an annual ritual for this to happen to us but we didn’t expect it so early.”

He revealed that in September-October, 2022, the Akintokun River in Igbo-Ifa overflowed its financial institution, inflicting enormous havoc to merchants within the space.

Other merchants known as on the state authorities to do one thing concerning the flood which had develop into a yearly prevalence.

They revealed that the federal government was conscious however nothing was carried out even after a number of appeals.

“The resolution is that there ought to be a bridge to channel the stream to the one in Igbo-Ifa however the previous administration solely put cemented rings there, which is simply too slim for the river to navigate throughout the wet season.

“We therefore called on Governor Ademola Adeleke to help us construct a bridge to expand the channels where the river can easily flow,” he stated.

They lamented that it’s simply two months into the wet season they usually have no idea what is going to occur in the direction of the top of the yr.

Reacting, the Osun State Government directed related businesses of presidency to instantly activate the state’s Flood Prevention plans.

In a press release signed by the spokesperson to Governor Ademola Adeleke, Olawale Rasheed on Sunday, the directive was issued after the Governor obtained studies of the inspections of the current Osogbo flood, which affected a number of areas within the state capital.

The state authorities additionally urged the residents of the state to discontinue the dumping of refuse on drainage and waterways.

The authorities inspection staff to the scene of the flood was led by the Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaye.

The assertion additionally revealed that Governor Adeleke instructed the Ministry of Environment, Works and different related businesses to hurry up work on all ongoing channelisation initiatives and launch the implementation of flood prevention agenda of the state authorities.

“Part of the programmes embody clearing of blocked drainage and waterways, elimination of buildings blocking river strains, sensitization in opposition to refuse dumping in waterways and continuation of channelisation programmes of the administration.

“I direct the related businesses to got down to work on our flood prevention programmes. What we skilled was a flash flood however we should be proactive. All work plans already accepted should be applied with out additional delay.

“Osun is likely one of the states listed on the flood alert. The wet season is right here and we should be on the alert. We have launched many channelisation programmes throughout many cities and villages. This remains to be ongoing.

“Proper disposal of waste is provided for under the supervision of the Ministry of Environment. Our people must embrace such best practices to avoid avoidable loss of properties and lives,” he stated.

While commiserating with the victims of the flood, the Governor instructed the state Ministry of Environment to incorporate actionable suggestions in an in depth report back to be submitted to him.