FG warns of imminent flooding in 11 states, advises evacuation

The Federal Government on Sunday warned that 32 locations across 11 states may encounter heavy rainfall that may lead to flooding between 14 and 18 September 2025.…

The flood prediction, issued by the Federal Ministry of Environment’s National Flood Early Warning Centre, was signed by the Director, Erosion, Flood and Coastal Zone Management Department, Usman Bokani.

According to the notice, the affected states and locations are Adamawa State (Ganye, Natubi); Benue State (Abinsi, Agyo, Gogo, Ito, Makurdi, Udoma, Ukpiam); Nasarawa State (Agima, Rukubi, Odogbo); Taraba State (Beli, Serti, Donga); Delta State (Umugboma, Umukwata, Abraka, Aboh, Okpo-Krika); and Niger State (Rijau).

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Others are Kebbi State (Ribah); Kano State (Gwarzo, Karaye); Katsina State (Jibia); Sokoto State (Makira); and Zamfara State (Kaura Namoda, Shinkafi, Maradun, Gusau, Anka, Bungudu).

The ministry cautioned that rising water levels in the River Gongola, River Benue, and River Niger pose additional risks, warning that communities situated on the floodplains are especially vulnerable.

“Also, due to a rise in the water level of River Gongola, River Benue, and River Niger, the communities on the flood plains of River Gongola up to Numan, and also communities on the flood plains of River Benue and River Niger up to Lokoja are advised to evacuate immediately.

“Relevant stakeholders should kindly take note,” the alert added.

The ministry also urged state governments and other agencies to provide prompt feedback and act quickly to mitigate the impact.

This warning comes just days after torrential rainfall in Zaria, Kaduna State, displaced over 470 children and destroyed no fewer than 270 homes across several communities.

Nigeria has experienced repeated cycles of devastating floods in recent years, often worsened by poor drainage, rapid urbanisation, and climate change.

As of September 4, flooding that ravaged many parts of the country this year had claimed no fewer than 231 lives, with 114 persons still missing.

According to data from the National Emergency Management Agency’s flood dashboard, 607 individuals have also sustained injuries.

Meanwhile, the 2024 floods affected 5,264,097 people across 35 states and 401 local government areas, displacing 1,243,638 people, killing 1,237, and injuring 16,469.