The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NiHSA) has warned of potential flooding in 198 local councils across 30 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The alert covers August 7 to 21, 2025, a span of 15 days during which vulnerable communities are advised to take precautionary measures.
NiHSA on Thursday categorised the flood risk levels as very high, high and moderate, depending on local topography and rainfall intensity projections.
The affected states are Adamawa, Akwa-Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, the FCT, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, and Zamfara.
According to NiHSA, very high-risk states are Adamawa, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Delta, Gombe, Kebbi, Kogi, Lagos, Niger, Ogun, Rivers, Yobe, and Zamfara.
States categorised as high to moderate risk include Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Cross-River, Ebonyi, Edo, FCT, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kwara, Nasarawa, Ondo, Plateau, Sokoto, and Taraba.
The agency also noted that 832 communities are at risk of varying degrees of flooding.
The alert also warned of the potential disruption of over 100 major transportation routes, particularly in flood-prone areas.
“NiHSA urges residents in affected regions to remain vigilant, adhere to early warning directives, and cooperate with emergency response agencies,” it stated.
To mitigate the potential impacts of flooding, NiHSA recommended that all emergency management stakeholders should prepare for response protocols to ensure timely intervention.
It added: “Communities at risk should put evacuation plans in place.
Follow up on NIHSA’s state-level weekly forecast for community-specific forecast, and monitor updates from NIHSA.”
The Director-General of NiHSA, Umar Mohammed, said: “This alert is issued in line with our commitment to safeguarding life and property. We call on state governments, local authorities, and the public to take proactive measures to mitigate risk and ensure community safety.”
He emphasised that they will continue to monitor the hydrological situation and provide timely updates as necessary.
On Tuesday, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) revealed that in 2025, no fewer than 191 lives had been lost to the floods that had ravaged parts of the country, while 94 people remain missing.
The report by NEMA showed that Niger State recorded the highest number of fatalities, with 163 deaths, followed by Adamawa State, where 26 people lost their lives. One death each was reported in Borno and Gombe states.
The data further indicated that, so far this year, the floods have affected 134,435 people across 20 states and 47 local council areas.
Additionally, 48,056 people have been displaced, while 239 injuries have been reported. The floods have also damaged 9,499 houses and affected 9,450 farmlands.
