The Federal Government has issued a warning that 13 states and the Federal Capital Territory may experience heavy rainfall leading to flooding from August 15 to 19, 2025. Residents of communities along the River Benue floodplain—from Yola in Adamawa State to Loko in Nasarawa State—are advised to evacuate due to rising water levels.
The National Flood Early Warning Centre of the Federal Ministry of Environment reported that a total of 66 locations across the affected states and the FCT could be impacted by potential flooding. The flood alert, signed by Usman Abdullahi Bokani, Director of the Erosion, Flood and Coastal Zone Management Department, emphasized the urgency of the situation.
The affected states include Adamawa, Bauchi, the FCT, Oyo, Nasarawa, Kaduna, Kebbi, Kano, Kwara, Niger, Yobe, Sokoto, Borno, and Zamfara. The government has urged states and stakeholders to enhance preparedness, noting that timely feedback would aid early response efforts.
Recent incidents, such as flash floods on July 27 in Adamawa State, have resulted in fatalities and significant damage. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has warned that the water level at Bakin Kogi, Jimeta, has exceeded the warning threshold of 6.0 meters, with current discharge rates from upstream sources surpassing 3,222 m³/s. This poses a heightened risk of overbank flooding, especially in low-lying areas.
The Federal Government’s proactive measures aim to safeguard lives and property as the rainy season progresses.
