The Federal Government has issued a fresh flood warning for 30 states and the Federal Capital Territory, alerting Nigerians to prepare for potential disaster between August 7 and August 21, 2025.
The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NiHSA), in a bulletin released Thursday, identified 198 local government areas and 832 communities that could face varying degrees of flooding within the two-week window.
NiHSA categorized the flood risk into three tiers — very high, high, and moderate — depending on rainfall projections and geographical vulnerability.
Fifteen states, including Lagos, Niger, Rivers, Bayelsa, and Adamawa, fall under the “very high-risk” category.
Other high-to-moderate-risk states include Akwa Ibom, Imo, FCT, Ondo, Plateau, and Sokoto.
“The likelihood of displacement is significantly high, especially in low-lying and flood-prone areas,” NiHSA warned. “We urge residents to remain alert, adhere to early warning signs, and cooperate with relevant emergency response teams.”
In addition to human risk, over 100 key transportation routes could be disrupted, potentially affecting logistics and emergency access in vulnerable areas.
NiHSA urged emergency response agencies at state and local levels to activate protocols for quick deployment and intervention.
It also recommended that at-risk communities draft evacuation plans and regularly monitor state-level forecasts.
“We are committed to safeguarding lives and property,” said Umar Mohammed, Director General of NiHSA. “State governments and local authorities must act swiftly and decisively.”
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According to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), 191 deaths and 94 missing persons have already been recorded this year due to flooding, with Niger and Adamawa states suffering the highest fatalities.
In total, 134,435 people have been affected across 47 LGAs in 20 states. Of these, 48,056 have been displaced, and 239 injured, while nearly 10,000 homes and farmlands have been damaged.
NEMA’s data shows the most impacted demographics include 60,071 children, 41,539 women, 27,121 men, and thousands of elderly and persons with disabilities.
By contrast, 2024 was even more devastating, with over 5.2 million people affected, 1.2 million displaced, and 1,237 lives lost.
That year also saw the destruction of over 116,000 homes and damage to 1.4 million hectares of farmland.
As rainfall intensifies, authorities are urging Nigerians to treat flood warnings seriously, adopt safety measures, and report any early signs of flooding to local emergency desks.