Urgent Flood Warning: NiHSA Alerts 198 LGAs Across 30 States of a Looming Crisis

The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NiHSA) has sounded an alarm, warning that from August 7 to August 21, 2025, an alarming 198 local government areas spanning 30 states and the Federal Capital Territory are facing a significant flood threat.

In their detailed assessment, NiHSA has categorized the risk levels into very high, high, and moderate, carefully analyzing rainfall forecasts and the unique geographic characteristics of each area. A staggering 832 communities have been flagged as vulnerable, while more than 100 major transportation routes could be severely impacted.

Among the states identified as very high-risk are Adamawa, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Delta, Gombe, Kebbi, Kogi, Lagos, Niger, Ogun, Rivers, Yobe, and Zamfara. Meanwhile, states classified with high to moderate risks include Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Cross River, Ebonyi, Edo, FCT, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kwara, Nasarawa, Ondo, Plateau, Sokoto, and Taraba.

In a bid to combat this impending disaster, NiHSA is urging both state and local authorities to prepare robust response protocols. It’s crucial that timely interventions are rolled out, and at-risk communities are advised to formulate evacuation plans while keeping a close eye on weekly forecasts.

Tragically, the warning comes on the heels of updated statistics from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), which reveal the devastating toll of floods in 2025 thus far: 191 lives have been lost, and 94 individuals are still missing. Niger State has borne the brunt of this crisis, reporting the highest number of fatalities at 163, followed by Adamawa with 26, and Borno and Gombe, each with one death.

This year, a total of 134,435 people have been affected by the floods across 20 states and 47 local government areas, displacing 48,056 individuals and injuring 239 more. The destruction has been immense, with 9,499 homes and 9,450 farmlands severely damaged. The victims of this catastrophe include men, women, children, the elderly, and people with disabilities.

Reflecting on the past, 2024 saw floods wreak havoc across the nation, impacting over 5.26 million people, displacing 1.24 million, and tragically claiming 1,237 lives, not to mention widespread destruction of homes and farmland. As we face the prospect of another difficult flooding season in 2025, officials are raising alarms about the potential for even greater humanitarian and economic challenges ahead. It’s a critical time for preparedness and community resilience.