Lagos, 27 other states get high risk flooding alert

By Tosin Kolade

The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) on Tuesday warned of a high risk of flooding in over 739 communities and 162 Local Government Areas across 28 states and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, between Tuesday and Aug. 5.

States on the alert list included Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, FCT, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara and Lagos.

Others were Nasarawa, Niger, Ondo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, and Yobe.

The fresh flood alert was contained in a statement issued by NIHSA’s Director General, Mr Umar Mohammad.

He explained that the alert followed the agency’s forecast and was consistent with the agency’s 2025 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) released on April 10.

According to the statement, NIHSA provides weekly flood alerts to highlight areas likely to experience flooding.

The agency urged emergency management stakeholders to activate preparedness and response mechanisms.

“The intensity and impact of the floods will vary across the affected states during the forecast period,” it said.

The agency said the warning covered 28 states, beginning from Adamawa through to Yobe in the North East.

It added that key metropolitan areas such as the FCT and Lagos State were included.

The agency warned of the potential disruption of over 100 major transportation routes, including critical economic corridors.

Such corridors, it said , included Okene-Lokoja-Abuja Road, Birnin Kebbi-Bunza Road, Ibi-Wukari Road, and key routes within Lagos, FCT, and the Niger Delta.

“There is also an increased risk of property damage to homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure in low-lying and flood-prone areas.

“In addition, agricultural lands are under threat, potentially affecting food security in several regions,” it said.

NIHSA strongly advised all emergency management stakeholders to activate preparedness and response protocols, while at-risk communities should implement evacuation plans without delay.

It urged Nigerians to monitor weekly updates through NIHSA’s Flood Dashboard website (www.nihsa.gov.ng) and social media platforms. (NAN)