Impact of heavy rains in Benin city

The statement reads: “The Nigerian Metrological Agency (NIMET) in its seasonal rainfall prediction for 2013 has predicted heavy rainfall in the year and the likelihood of flooding in many states.“Edo State has consistently recorded an increase in rainfall volume, frequency and intensity. We as a people must not underestimate the power of weather again. We […]

The statement reads: “The Nigerian Metrological Agency (NIMET) in its seasonal rainfall prediction for 2013 has predicted heavy rainfall in the year and the likelihood of flooding in many states.
“Edo State has consistently recorded an increase in rainfall volume, frequency and intensity. We as a people must not underestimate the power of weather again. We must take every preventive measure to avert the repeat of the disaster of 2012.
“The good people of Edo State are hereby advised to collectively take precautions to forestall a recurrence of similar incident of flooding and its consequences in the state.”
Finding reveals that the state is no doubt one of the flood prone areas in the country. It has also been a source of concern to the people of the state, with the capital, Benin, being the worst hit. In fact the problem of flooding in Benin has always been a campaign issue in every election while billions of naira are budgeted yearly to fight the menace.
Towards the end of September, Benin City witnessed more downpour than it did last year, with rain falling for two to three days nonstop most times. Thus facilitating flood in most areas in the city which include Ihama road, Government House road, Boundary road, and most parts of Government Reservation Areas [GRA].  
Others include Ugbowo, new Lagos road, Second east circular road, Aduwawa areas and it could be right to say that the entire city was under threat of being submerged at varying degrees of impact
When our reporter visited second circular area, some houses had collapsed as a result of flooding and erosion causing loss of properties and valued possessions of the residents.
The residents as a result appeal to the state government to come to their aid. A school teacher, Nosa Maruse, a resident of second east circular road said his family has lost all they have laboured for in their entire lifetime and that he does not know where to start picking up the pieces of his life again.
Similarly, at Ikpoba Hill, part of the Edo State headquarters of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), it was also pulled down by flood.
No fewer than 100 houses were reported to have been submerged, while 50 others reportedly collapsed as a result of the flood from the heavy downpour.
Also lamenting the collapse of his building, 86-year-old customary court judge, Peter Aigbe, called on relevant government agencies to come to his rescue. “We are forced to seek refuge in our relations’ houses. At the moment, we have been rendered homeless”, he said.
It could also be recalled that Edo State government has advised residents in the low land areas, river banks and other flood-prone areas of the state to relocate to higher ground to avoid a repeat of the flood disaster of last year.
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor Adams Oshiomhole, Peter Okhiria in his statement urged the people to stop indiscriminate waste dumping that ended up blocking drains which can result in the breeding of mosquitoes, flies and other disease carriers that may eventually result in high prevalence of malaria, yellow fever, Lassa fever and cholera and also ensure the de-silting of drains by their houses.