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The people of Owo, headquarters of Owo local government area of Ondo state are counting their losses as the first rain recorded in the ancient town on Monday wreaked havoc across the metropolis, destroying about 20 houses, schools and the multi billion naira western plus hotel in the process.
The rainfall which lasted for about 45 minutes, was accompanied by a storm which blew off rooftops and damaged electric poles, thereby throwing some residents into darkness.
Residents of the town had been expecting the rain, which eventually came at the peak of the heat occasioned by the dry season, but its arrival has brought a mixed reaction among the inhabitants of Owo.
Mostly affected by the were residential buildings as well as schools shattered by the rainstorm.
Speaking with our heritage reporters a victim, Mr Ajibola Adebayo whose house was completely blown off at Obagbuji street, Owo said he has been completely demoralised by the incident.
Adebayo said he and his tenants were facing a terrible situation as they have nowhere to lay their heads.
He noted that his property which he had worked for all his life were damaged by the rain.
While crying was for help, he said his fear was that the house might be fully damaged if another rain falls, since it is a house built with mud block.
He therefore called on the state government and the National Emergency Agency, NEMA, to come to his and other victims’ aid.
Another victim, Mrs Adesewa Olusola, expressed her agony at the outcome of the rainstorm.
Adesewa, a widow and a tenant in one of the affected buildings said the building where she reside is owned by a deceased and her children live outside Owo.
On his own, Mr James Oluloro, whose house was partly blown off, said he was devastated by the damage to his house.
Oluloro said with the economic condition in the country, he might not be able to replace the roofing sheets blown off by the rainstorm.
Meanwhile, our heritage reporters has reliably gathered that the traditional ruler of the town, the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III, who was touched by the sad occurrence had moved round scenes of destruction by the rainstorm to console those affected.
Oba Ogunoye was said to have assured them that he will ensure necessary government agencies are briefed about the disaster.
Speaking with our heritage reporters in his palace, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye described the effect of the rainstorm as very devastating and saddening.
The Olowo, however, advised the people to imbibe the act of tree planting around residential as well as commercial buildings in the town to serve as wind breakers which will minimise the effect of rainstorm.
