FG Issues High-Alert flood warning for 27 States, FCT; Over 700 communities at risk

The Federal Government, through the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), has issued a high-alert flood warning for 27 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The agency predicts widespread inundation across over 700 communities in the coming two weeks.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Umar Mohammad, Director-General of NIHSA, stated that the warning is based on fresh hydrological forecasts, which align with the agency’s 2025 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) published in April. Mohammad indicated that NIHSA anticipates severe flooding in “739 communities across 162 local government areas (LGAs) between July 22 and August 5”.

Key cities such as Lagos and Abuja have been placed on the watchlist.

The statement warned of “an increased risk of property damage to homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure in low-lying and flood-prone areas”.

The states identified as being under imminent threat include Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, the FCT, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, and Yobe.

ALSO READ : Russian plane crashes in Russia’s far east, nearly 50 people on board feared dead

NIHSA has also flagged “over 100 major transportation routes as vulnerable”, specifically mentioning the Okene-Lokoja-Abuja Road, Birnin Kebbi-Bunza Road, and Ibi-Wukari Road, which raises concern over potential disruptions to the movement of goods and people.

In addition to infrastructure, the Director-General warned that the anticipated flooding “may severely affect farmlands, which could in turn impact food production and worsen the country’s fragile food security situation”.

NIHSA has urged state governments and emergency response agencies to “activate disaster preparedness and community sensitisation protocols”.

Residents in low-lying or previously affected areas are advised to “stay alert and prepare for possible evacuation”.

The agency encouraged Nigerians to stay informed through its official flood dashboard at www.nihsa.gov.ng and its verified social media platforms.