Nigeria Issues Urgent Flood Alert for 19 States as Heavy Rains Loom

Edited By : Tendai Zola

Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Environment has issued a critical flood alert for 19 states amid forecasts of intense rainfall expected between August 5 and 9. The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) warns that severe weather conditions—including thunderstorms and torrential downpours—may cause significant flooding across wide areas of the country.

The northern states of Adamawa, Taraba, Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Jigawa, Kano, and Katsina are expected to bear the brunt of the storm system, with Adamawa, Taraba, and Bauchi flagged as high-risk zones.

In central Nigeria, light morning showers are predicted in Benue, Niger, Kogi, Nasarawa, and the Federal Capital Territory, intensifying by midday in Plateau, Kwara, and nearby regions. Southern states such as Oyo, Ogun, Edo, and Delta may experience evening downpours, while authorities warn of elevated flood risks in Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom.

Emergency management agencies have been advised to activate flood response protocols, disseminate timely warnings, and ensure critical infrastructure is protected. Citizens are encouraged to avoid non-essential travel during the storms and to follow safety guidelines—including securing outdoor objects, wearing weather-appropriate clothing, and unplugging electrical devices during extreme conditions.

This alert follows a string of climate-related disasters, including the tragic May floods in Niger State, which claimed over 500 lives and displaced thousands—underscoring Nigeria’s growing climate vulnerability as the rainy season peaks.