Alert: Heavy Rains to Cause Flooding in FCT, 17 States – FG

The Federal Ministry of Environment has issued a new flood warning, stating that parts of 17 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are at high risk between Friday, August 8, and Saturday, August 9, 2025.

According to a statement from Mr. Usman Abdullahi Bokani, Director of the Erosion, Flood and Coastal Zone Management Department, the alert is due to expected heavy rainfall.

The states likely to be affected include Enugu, Adamawa, Kwara, Cross River, Nasarawa, Benue, Ebonyi, Niger, Kogi, Taraba, Zamfara, Sokoto, Borno, Oyo, and the FCT.

In Abuja, areas such as Abaji, CBD, Asokoro, Kuje, Lokogoma, Lugbe, Mabushi, Maitama, Nyanya, Garki, Guzape, Gwarinpa, Wuse, Kwali and several others have been listed as vulnerable.

The ministry listed specific communities in each state, including Eha-Amufu in Enugu; Ganye in Adamawa; Kaiama in Kwara; Calabar and Ikom in Cross River; Lafia, Loko and Toto in Nasarawa; Makurdi, Otukpo and Gbajimba in Benue; Nkalagu in Ebonyi; Bida in Niger; Abejukolo in Kogi; Jalingo in Taraba; Gusau in Zamfara; Gada in Sokoto; Maiduguri in Borno; and Iseyin in Oyo.

Bokani urged residents in the listed areas and their surroundings to be on high alert, take precautionary measures, and cooperate with state and local authorities to minimise possible damage.

He said feedback from state governments and other relevant stakeholders on preparedness and response would be highly appreciated.

The alert came amidst a growing concern over the devastating impact of flooding disasters, which had already claimed several lives and displaced countless others, leaving communities in a state of distress and vulnerability.

Persecondnews recalls that Niger State recorded the highest number of fatalities, with at least 500 deaths in Mokwa, particularly in May 2025, following heavy rainfall and a dam collapse.

The flooding also affected over 5,000 dry-season farmers and displaced in excess of 6,400 people.

Flooding also affected several states, including Adamawa with 26 deaths and 12,613 persons affected, Borno with 1 death and 8,164 persons affected amidst a cholera outbreak, and Gombe with 1 death and nearly 280 households impacted by windstorms and torrential rains.

Meanwhile, floods and windstorms caused fatalities and displacement in Kwara State, with at least 13 deaths reported, while landslides triggered by intense rainfall killed at least 25 people in Okrika, Rivers State

Other states affected by flooding include Abia with 11,907 persons affected, Imo with 28,030 persons affected and 27 villages submerged, Kaduna with 7,334 persons affected, and Rivers with 22,345 persons affected.

A total of 165 people have died, 82 are missing, and 119,791 have been affected by flooding in 2025, NEMA said.