Red Alert: Nigeria Braces For Flood Threat Across 11 States
NIGERIA is on high alert as the Federal Government warns of imminent floods expected to hit 32 locations across 11 states between September 14 and 18. Authorities have urged residents in flood-prone communities to evacuate early and take urgent safety precautions before disaster strikes.
The National Flood Early Warning Centre (NFEWC), under the Ministry of Environment, said rising water levels in Rivers Niger, Benue, and Gongola could overflow their banks, submerging homes, farmlands, and vital infrastructure.
According to Usman Abdullahi Bokani, Director of the Erosion, Flood, and Coastal Zone Management Department, the high-risk zones cut across the northern, central, and delta regions of the country.
List of Flood Hotspots
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
Niger State: Rijau
Kebbi State: Ribah
Kano State: Gwarzo, Karaye
Katsina State: Jibia
Sokoto State: Makira
Zamfara State: Kaura Namoda, Shinkafi, Maradun, Gusau, Anka, Bungudu
Officials identified communities along River Gongola up to Numan, as well as those within the floodplains of Rivers Benue and Niger—especially near Lokoja—as the most vulnerable.
Officials Urge Swift Evacuation
Authorities have issued a clear warning: act now or risk being trapped. Officials advised evacuations in the most flood-prone areas and directed state governments and emergency agencies to activate rapid-response plans.
“This is not a drill,” a senior official told reporters. “We are urging immediate action. The science is clear, and water levels are already rising fast.”
Recurring Disaster and Rising Risks
Flooding has become a recurring national crisis. In 2022, similar floods swept through the same regions, killing more than 600 people and displacing millions. Experts warn that without prompt action, Nigeria could once again face devastating losses.
For farmers, the looming floods threaten crops and food security, while traders fear washed-out roads could disrupt vital supply chains.
Climate Change and Human Negligence
Environmental experts say the crisis highlights how climate change and poor urban planning continue to worsen Nigeria’s flood vulnerability. Unchecked construction, blocked drainage systems, and deforestation have intensified the impact of seasonal rains.
“The floods are not just natural—they’re made worse by human negligence,” said a climate advocate. “Nigeria needs sustainable investment in drainage, dams, and flood-resistant infrastructure.”
The Critical Days Ahead
The next few days are crucial. Meteorologists predict that if rainfall intensifies, several densely populated regions could experience severe flooding. How quickly the government and residents respond will determine how bad the damage becomes.
For now, millions in the affected 11 states are watching the skies and rivers anxiously—aware that every passing hour could bring them closer to disaster.
