Nigeria on Flood Alert: NIMET Issues Urgent Warning as Heavy Rains Loom Across Multiple States

⚠️ Nigeria on Flood Alert: NIMET Issues Urgent Warning as Heavy Rains Loom Across Multiple States

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) has issued an urgent weather advisory, warning of heavy rainfall and the possibility of severe flooding across several states in the coming days. The latest forecast has raised concern among citizens, farmers, and emergency officials, with fears that the destruction of homes, crops, and infrastructure could be widespread if precautionary measures are not taken.

According to the weather alert, multiple regions are expected to be affected. In the North-Central, states such as Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are listed as highly vulnerable. In the South-West, Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, Ekiti, and Osun have been highlighted, while in the South-South, communities in Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom are projected to face significant risks. Even in the North-West and North-East, parts of Kaduna, Taraba, Adamawa, and sections of Kano may not be spared.

NIMET explained that the anticipated rainfall could trigger flash floods, river overflows, and waterlogging in coastal and low-lying areas. Residents in flood-prone communities have been urged to remain alert, avoid activities near waterways, clear blocked drainage systems, and adhere strictly to safety advisories. The agency further cautioned that the impact would not be limited to households, as farmers may experience disruptions to planting and harvesting cycles, while transport operators and travelers could face hazardous road conditions, traffic disruptions, and even flight delays.

The warning has also prompted the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to raise its operational alert level. The agency’s Director of Operations, Musa Zakari, said state governments have been instructed to activate their emergency response systems, prepare temporary shelters for displaced persons, and coordinate relief measures should the floods strike with intensity. He stressed that Nigerians must not dismiss the alerts as routine warnings. “These advisories are life-saving information. We must all take them seriously to prevent avoidable loss of lives and property,” Zakari emphasized.

In recent weeks, the early impact of the rains has already been felt in parts of Lagos, Rivers, and Niger States, where flash floods swept through neighborhoods, leaving families stranded and damaging farmlands. In Lagos, communities were submerged after hours of uninterrupted downpour, while in the North-Central, residents of Benue and Kogi are increasingly anxious about the likelihood of a repeat of the 2022 disaster that displaced thousands and destroyed vast stretches of farmland.

The warnings have triggered a mix of frustration and fear among Nigerians who say yearly advisories have done little to address the root causes of the crisis. In Lagos, resident Tunde Adewale lamented that “every year it’s the same story. The rains come, the floods follow, and nothing changes. What we need is long-term infrastructure, not just warnings.” For farmers, the stakes are even higher. Grace Okon, a smallholder farmer in Benue, recalled her losses during last year’s floods: “I lost nearly half of my harvest. If the government does not intervene quickly with support and protection for farmers, many of us may not recover this year.” Similarly, in Kogi State, Sani Ibrahim, a trader, noted that “advisories are not enough. The government must invest in proper drainage systems, dams, and relocation plans to protect communities.”

Analysts have repeatedly linked Nigeria’s worsening flood disasters to a combination of poor urban planning, inadequate drainage networks, deforestation, and the growing impact of climate change. Experts point out that prolonged rainfall often overwhelms major rivers such as the Niger and Benue, which spill into communities with little or no flood defense infrastructure. The resulting damage has been devastating—destroying homes, crippling local businesses, and pushing vulnerable populations deeper into poverty. The situation, they warn, poses not only humanitarian risks but also threatens national food security as thousands of hectares of farmland risk being washed away.

Beyond the immediate threat, climate scientists caution that the intensity and frequency of rainfall in Nigeria are being worsened by global warming. Rising sea levels are compounding the challenges in coastal states such as Lagos, Bayelsa, and Delta, where entire communities could be forced to relocate in the coming years if no sustainable flood-control measures are implemented.

For now, NIMET has assured Nigerians that it will provide continuous weather updates and urged the public to rely only on official communication channels to avoid misinformation. While federal and state agencies prepare for possible emergencies, the real test lies in how effectively communities can implement preventive measures and how quickly governments can respond when disaster strikes.

As the rainy season deepens, Nigeria faces a critical question: will early warnings be enough to mitigate the devastation, or will another cycle of floods leave thousands displaced, farmlands submerged, and the economy further strained?