Nigeria’s Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has issued an urgent advisory, warning that 198 local districts across 32 states and the capital territory may face severe flooding between August 7 and August 21. The alert, triggered by escalating river levels and weeks of intense rainfall, highlights risks of widespread infrastructure damage and community displacement in one of West Africa’s most flood-prone nations.
In a bulletin signed by Director General Umar Ibrahim—reference number 32-25-003-06—the agency identified 832 communities and over 100 major roads at potential risk of submersion or disruption. The affected regions span from northern states like Sokoto and Kebbi to southern coastal areas, including Lagos, Rivers, and Bayelsa. Notable hubs such as the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja), economic corridors in Kogi, and densely populated zones in Anambra and Ogun are also on high alert.
“Heavy rains and rising water bodies could paralyze key transportation routes, cutting off communities and slowing emergency responses,” the agency cautioned, referencing its flood risk mapping tools. Nigeria’s flood patterns, exacerbated by climate variability and inadequate drainage systems, have historically displaced tens of thousands annually, with last year’s inundations damaging over 300,000 homes.
Authorities urged emergency management teams to mobilize resources, prioritize evacuations in vulnerable areas, and reinforce contingency plans. Residents in high-risk zones were advised to monitor real-time updates via NIHSA’s digital flood dashboard and official communications. The alert follows months of preemptive measures, including river gauging and community sensitization campaigns, though experts warn aging infrastructure and rapid urbanization continue to compound risks.
While seasonal floods are routine in Nigeria, their scale and human toll have intensified in recent years. A 2022 disaster affected 33 of the country’s 36 states, displacing 1.4 million people and submerging vast swaths of farmland—a recurring crisis the agency aims to mitigate through predictive modeling and early warnings. This month’s advisory underscores the urgency of coordinated action to safeguard lives, livelihoods, and critical networks as waters rise.
