FG issues flood warning for 11 states as heavy rainfall looms

The Federal Government has issued a warning that eleven states across Nigeria are likely to experience intense rains between Sunday and Thursday, potentially resulting in flooding.

The alert, released by the National Flood Early Warning Centre under the Ministry of Environment, identifies the affected areas. These include communities in Adamawa (Ganye, Natubi), Benue (Abinsi, Agyo, Gogo, Ito, Makurdi, Udoma, Ukpiam), Nasarawa (Agima, Rukubi, Odogbo), Taraba (Beli, Serti, Donga), Delta (Umugboma, Umukwata, Abraka, Aboh, Okpo-Krika), and Niger (Rijau) states. Additional locations listed are Ribah in Kebbi; Gwarzo and Karaye in Kano; Jibia in Katsina; Makira in Sokoto; and Kaura Namoda, Shinkafi, Maradun, Gusau, Anka, Bungudu in Zamfara.

Officials called on relevant stakeholders to act swiftly and provide timely reports to manage the situation effectively.

The statement warns that swelling water levels in the Rivers Gongola, Benue, and Niger amplify the threat, placing floodplain communities at risk. Authorities have urged immediate evacuation for residents in flood-prone zones along these rivers, especially from River Gongola floodplains extending to Numan, and from the floodplains of River Benue and River Niger reaching Lokoja. Efforts to mitigate the flooding’s impact are underway, with continuous monitoring to safeguard lives and property.