The Federal Government has warned of imminent flooding in 31 states, including Lagos, the FCT, and Rivers, following rising river levels and persistent rainfall nationwide.
In an alert issued on Thursday, the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) said high to very high flood risks are expected between August 7 and August 21.
NIHSA Director-General, Umar Ibrahim, listed the affected states as Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, FCT, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, and Nasarawa, as well as Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, and Zamfara.
According to the agency, 198 local government areas and 832 communities fall within the projected flood impact zone. It warned of possible disruption to major transportation routes and advised emergency response agencies to activate evacuation plans for vulnerable areas.
NIHSA urged residents to follow its weekly state-level and community-specific forecasts via its flood dashboard and official channels.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Government has asked residents in flood-prone communities — including parts of Lekki, Ikorodu, Ajegunle, and Isheri to relocate to safer highland areas.
Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said Lagos would receive more rainfall this year than last, based on predictions from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet). He assured that the government is working to clear drainage channels and expand flood pathways to minimise the impact.
The warning follows heavy downpours earlier in the week that submerged houses, vehicles, and roads in parts of Lagos, disrupting business and daily activities.
