Flood: FG Places 33 States On Red Alert

• Says 1,249 Communities, 176 LGs, 33 States To Be Affected
• Abia, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Delta, FCT Listed As High-Risk States
• FG: Outlook Isn’t Just About Numbers, It’s About Protecting Lives, Livelihoods

As the rainy season for 2025 beckons, the Nigeria government through the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, NIHSA, has placed no fewer than 33 states and the FCT under the high flood-risk areas in 2025.

The agency warned that 1,249 communities across 176 Local Government Areas in the 33 states and the FCT will experience flooding in 2025.

The Matrix Newspaper reports that in 2024, floods in Nigeria caused widespread devastation, impacting 31 out of 36 states and affecting over 1.2 million people. 

The floods resulted in over 300 deaths, the displacement of 673,000 people, and significant damage to infrastructure and agricultural lands. 

The situation was particularly dire in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states, where many displaced persons camps were inundated, leading to secondary displacement and a “crisis within a crisis”. 

Consequently, ahead of the rainy season in 2025, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Utsev, during the official presentation of the 2025 Annual Flood Outlook, AFO has placed several states on red alert.

According to the forecast, an additional 2,187 communities in 293 LGAs across 31 states and the FCT are expected to experience moderate flood risk this year.

States identified in the high-risk category include: Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, the FCT, Gombe and Imo.

Others are Jigawa, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, and Zamfara.

Utsev noted that floods are among the most devastating natural disasters affecting lives, property, agriculture, and infrastructure.

He said the 2025 forecast is aimed at raising awareness and encouraging preparedness among citizens, particularly in vulnerable communities.

He said this year’s theme on community preparedness and adaptation is timely, given the recurring floods and their impact on livelihoods and infrastructure.

The minister explained that the 2025 Annual Flood Outlook has been segmented into three parts to enhance flood preparedness.

These include a general flood forecast, a communication strategy for effective warning dissemination, and a mitigation plan to reduce exposure and vulnerability.

“According to the forecast, 657 communities in 52 LGAs are expected to experience high flood risk between April and June.

“544 communities in 142 LGAs between July and September; and 484 communities in 56 LGAs from October to November.

“Moderate flood risk is projected for 445 communities in 116 LGAs from April to June, 1,458 communities in 271 LGAs from July to September, and 1,473 communities in 171 LGAs between October and November,” he added.

He said flash and urban flooding are expected in major cities, including Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Kano, and Makurdi, largely due to poor drainage and weak infrastructure.

According to him, coastal states such as Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Lagos, Ogun, Rivers, and Ondo may also experience flooding caused by rising sea levels and tidal surges, posing a threat to livelihoods and river-based activities.

To improve early warning and response systems, this year’s AFO introduced a community-based flood forecasting approach. Rather than just general predictions, forecasts are now tailored to specific communities, enhancing actionable communication and preparedness at the grassroots level.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Richard Pheelangwah, in his remarks, urged stakeholders to prioritize early response. “This outlook isn’t just about numbers, it’s about protecting lives and livelihoods,” he said.

On his part, the Director General of NIHSA, Umar Mohammed, noted that this year’s flood forecast goes beyond mapping LGAs and now identifies specific communities at risk.

“Our focus has expanded to assess sectoral impacts, on health, education, agriculture, and infrastructure, offering more robust tools to policymakers and disaster risk managers,” he said.