A Looming Threat: FG Issues Flood Warning for Nine Northern States, 14 Communities

The Federal Government has issued a critical flood alert for nine northern states, cautioning residents and authorities about the high risk of heavy rainfall and subsequent flooding in 14 communities. The warning, which comes from the National Flood Early Warning Centre (FEWS Centre) of the Federal Ministry of Environment, is part of a series of proactive measures to prevent a repeat of past flood disasters that have claimed lives and displaced thousands.

According to the advisory signed by Usman Abdullahi Bokani, Director of Erosion, Flood and Coastal Zone Management, the period between August 25 and August 29, 2025, is particularly susceptible to heavy rainfall. The states placed on high alert include Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara. The warning also specified a number of communities within these states that are most likely to be affected, urging a heightened state of vigilance.

The advisory serves as a stark reminder of the persistent threat posed by Nigeria’s annual rainy season. Officials have stated that the alert is not just based on rainfall forecasts but also on a steady increase in the water level of the River Niger. This rising water level has put several communities along its flood plain, from Jebba to Lokoja, at a high risk of being submerged.

The government’s directive is clear: evacuate to safer, higher grounds. While the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has been tasked with spearheading the advocacy and mobilization efforts, the ultimate responsibility for implementing the warnings falls on state and local governments. Recent reports from NEMA indicate that a number of communities in Yobe State have already been hit by flash floods, displacing hundreds of people and serving as a preview of the disasters that could unfold if the warnings are ignored.

For years, flood warnings in Nigeria have often been met with mixed responses, with many residents reluctant to abandon their homes and farmlands until the floods arrive. However, with the current administration’s emphasis on proactive disaster management, the hope is that this time, early warning will translate into early action. The government’s timely alert is a crucial first step, but its effectiveness will ultimately depend on the collective response of authorities and citizens in the identified high-risk zones.