Heavy rainfall on Thursday morning flooded the premises of the Delta Broadcasting Service in Asaba, Delta State, leaving the station’s compound submerged and raising concerns over the safety of broadcasting equipment.
Floodwater covered almost the entire compound and reached the entrance of the station’s main building after several hours of rainfall that also affected many parts of the Delta State capital.
The DBS premises were among the areas badly hit by the flooding, as the downpour left roads and surrounding environments waterlogged.
Speaking with our correspondent on the telephone, the General Manager of Delta Broadcasting Service, Mrs. Christine Emetulu, confirmed that the station was affected by the flood.
She, however, said the floodwater did not enter her office despite covering the station’s premises and surrounding environment.
“The flood did not enter my office,” she said.
A member of staff, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the media, also confirmed the incident.
“Yes, the rainfall affected our station this morning. The whole environment is flooded. Even the General Manager is in the office while this is happening,” the staff member said.
Although no casualty was recorded as of the time of filing this report, the flooding raised concerns over the safety of equipment within the station and highlighted the impact of the heavy rainfall on public facilities in Asaba.
The incident has again brought to the fore the recurring flooding challenge in the Delta State capital during the rainy season, with residents renewing calls for improved drainage infrastructure to reduce the impact of heavy rainfall.
Efforts to obtain the reaction of the Delta State Commissioner for Special Duties, Mr Terry Etagherure, were unsuccessful, as he neither answered telephone calls nor responded to a WhatsApp message sent to him before the report was filed.
Similarly, the Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, did not answer calls or reply to a WhatsApp message seeking his comments as of the time this report was filed.
