RAINSTORM SMASHES ELECTRICAL POLES IN EKITI COMMUNITIES
Residents in numerous neighborhoods in Ado Ekiti and neighboring towns in Ekiti State are now without power after a thunderstorm on Friday night toppled electric poles.
Power outages are occurring in Ajebamidele, Omisanjana, Atlas, and Ikere Ekiti, Ise Ekiti, and Emure Ekiti, all of which are in Ado Ekiti and are impacted by the damaged poles.
The areas were hit by a lot of rain on Friday night and into Saturday morning, which left many inhabitants stuck and caused traffic, social, and economic disruptions.
The rain, which started some minutes before 5 p.m. on Friday, ceased briefly before restarting around 6 p.m., accompanied by violent storms that brought down no fewer than six concrete electric poles.
The high-tension cables on the poles connect the 132/133 KVA power substation in Omisanjana and neighboring towns of Ikere, Ise and Emure.
The impacted poles were brought down by the downpour near the Deeper Life Campground in Ajebamidele, a crowded area in the capital of Ekiti State.
The fallen power poles have blocked the primary access road, which begins from the Ado-Ikere Highway and ends in Omisanjana.
The development has left the road abandoned. It was built by the Biodun Oyebanji Administration and put into service by Vice President Kashim Shettima in June.
Many locals were stuck for hours on their way home from work. Some took refuge in surrounding homes and businesses, while others remained in their cars.
In order to get to their destinations via Omisanjana, several drivers were forced to turn around and take the considerably longer route via Ajilosun, Ijigbo, and Ilawe Road as the rain got worse during the commotion.
It was noted that many drivers abandoned their cars in some areas and walked home in disgust as a result of the road closure brought on by the downed electric lines.
Since the impacted poles provided electricity to the nearby Omisanjana community and Ikere town, the development has reportedly left them without power outside of the Ajebamidele neighborhood.
Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) officials attended the location shortly after the rain stopped to inspect the damaged poles in preparation for a potential rescue effort on Saturday.