The Federal Government on Sunday issued a fresh warning that 32 locations across 11 states may experience heavy rainfall and flooding between September 14 and 18, 2025.
The alert was contained in a flood prediction notice issued by the National Flood Early Warning Centre under the Federal Ministry of Environment, and signed by the Director, Erosion, Flood and Coastal Zone Management Department, Usman Abdullahi Bokani.
According to the centre, the areas likely to be hit include:
Adamawa State: Ganye, Natubi
Benue State: Abinsi, Agyo, Gogo, Ito, Makurdi, Udoma, Ukpiam
Nasarawa State: Agima, Rukubi, Odogbo
Taraba State: Beli, Serti, Donga
Delta State: Umugboma, Umukwata, Abraka, Aboh, Okpo-Krika
Niger State: Rijau
Kebbi State: Ribah
Kano State: Gwarzo, Karaye
Katsina State: Jibia
Sokoto State: Makira
Zamfara State: Kaura Namoda, Shinkafi, Maradun, Gusau, Anka, Bungudu
The ministry cautioned that water levels in River Gongola, River Benue, and River Niger are on the rise, posing additional danger.
“Also, due to a rise in the water level of River Gongola, River Benue, and River Niger, the communities on the flood plains of River Gongola up to Numan, and also communities on the flood plains of River Benue and River Niger up to Lokoja are advised to evacuate immediately.
“Relevant stakeholders should kindly take note,” the statement read.
The ministry urged state governments, emergency agencies and stakeholders to act promptly to mitigate the risks, stressing that early evacuation and feedback were critical to reducing casualties.
This latest warning comes days after torrential rainfall in Zaria, Kaduna State, displaced over 470 children and destroyed more than 270 homes across communities.
Nigeria continues to face devastating cycles of flooding worsened by poor drainage, rapid urbanisation and climate change.
As of September 4, flooding this year has claimed 231 lives, left 114 missing, and injured 607 others, according to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
For comparison, the 2024 floods affected 5.2 million people across 35 states, displacing over 1.2 million, killing 1,237, and injuring 16,469.
