By John Umeh
The Federal Government has issued a grave warning to residents and authorities across Nigeria, announcing that 198 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in 31 states are at high risk of severe flooding in the coming weeks. The warning, based on recent meteorological and hydrological assessments, comes as the country enters the peak of its rainy season, with torrential downpours expected to trigger widespread displacement, infrastructure damage, and disruption of livelihoods if urgent preventive measures are not taken.
Government Issues Red Alert
The alert was issued by the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation in collaboration with the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet). According to the agencies, data from the 2025 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) shows that persistent rainfall, rising river levels, and blocked drainage systems are creating dangerous conditions in hundreds of communities.
Speaking during a press briefing in Abuja, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, called for immediate preparedness at all levels of government. “We are entering the red zone of the rainy season. The data clearly shows that 198 LGAs across 31 states are at imminent risk of flooding. This includes urban, semi-urban, and rural areas,” he warned.
States and Communities Most at Risk
Though a complete list of affected LGAs has not been made public, some of the most vulnerable states include Lagos, Rivers, Anambra, Bayelsa, Benue, Kogi, Adamawa, and Kebbi — many of which experienced devastating floods in previous years. Communities along the River Niger and River Benue basins are expected to be particularly hard-hit, especially if the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon releases excess water.
In 2022 and 2023, record floods displaced over 1.4 million Nigerians and claimed hundreds of lives. The government fears that without proactive measures, this year could see similar — if not worse — devastation.
Urgent Measures Advised
The Federal Government has urged state governments, local councils, emergency response teams, and residents in flood-prone areas to activate their disaster response protocols. Citizens have been advised to:
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Clear blocked drains and waterways
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Avoid building on floodplains and waterways
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Prepare emergency evacuation plans
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Stay informed via official weather alerts
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Report early signs of flooding to local authorities
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has also confirmed that it is ramping up its preparedness efforts, including pre-positioning relief materials, reinforcing response teams, and coordinating with state emergency management agencies (SEMAs).
A Call for Long-Term Solutions
While emergency responses are underway, environmental experts and civil society groups are calling on the government to invest in long-term flood mitigation infrastructure such as dams, retention basins, improved drainage systems, and better urban planning policies.
“Year after year, we react to floods as emergencies, but without sustainable solutions, we’ll continue to suffer the same fate,” said Dr. Aisha Mohammed, a climate resilience consultant. “We need to treat flooding as a national security and development issue.”
Citizens Urged to Stay Vigilant
As the rains intensify, the Federal Government is appealing to Nigerians not to ignore the warnings. “This is not a drill,” Minister Utsev reiterated. “Lives, homes, and farmlands are at stake. We must all work together to mitigate the impact before it’s too late.”
With the memory of past disasters still fresh in the minds of many, Nigeria once again finds itself racing against time to avoid another humanitarian crisis brought on by nature — and worsened by human inaction.
