Deborah Akinyosoye
The Federal Government has warned that nine states and 15 communities across the northern region may experience heavy rainfall that could trigger flooding between August 25 and August 29, 2025.
The alert was issued on Monday by the Federal Ministry of Environment, National Flood Early Warning Centre, and signed by the Director of the Erosion, Flood and Coastal Zone Management Department, Usman Abdullahi Bokani.
According to the advisory, the states and communities likely to be affected include: Adamawa State (Abba-Kumbo, Mubi, Shelleng); Bauchi State (Azare, Jama’a); Borno State (Ngala); Gombe State (Nafada); Jigawa State (Gwaram); Kano State (Sumaila); Katsina State (Bindawa, Kaita, Katsina); Sokoto State (Makira); and Zamfara State (Anka).
On Saturday, the department predicted possible flooding in seven states and 25 locations across Nigeria.
The ministry, in its flood alert, warned that heavy rainfall expected between August 23 and 24 could lead to flooding in the listed areas.
It further directed residents of communities along the flood plain from Jebba to Lokoja to evacuate immediately as the River Niger’s water level continues to rise.
It said, “Due to the rise in the water level of River Niger, communities on the flood plain from Jebba to Lokoja are advised to evacuate.”
The northern state of Yobe had recently been hit by flooding, sacking 102 households and displacing 612 residents in the Potiskum area of the state.
According to the State Emergency Management Agency, women and children make up the majority of the displaced, with communities such as Old Prison, Filin Mashe, Unguwar Makafi, Unguwar Jaje Bakin Kwari, Afghanistan, Tsangaya, Karofi, Bayan Garejin Dan Juma, Jigawa, and Makarahuta worst hit by the floods.