FG Warns of Heavy Rain and Flood Threat in 14 States 

Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Environment, through its National Flood Early Warning Systems Centre, has issued a flood alert for 14 states expected to experience heavy rains and possible flooding from September 4 to 8. The warning emphasizes the need for urgent community preparedness to minimize damage and casualties.

Also Read: How to Safely Drive Through Flooded Streets

States on Alert

The states flagged for imminent risk include:

• Southern & Southeast/South-South: Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Cross River, Imo, Akwa Ibom
• Central/North-Central: Benue, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau, Taraba
• Northern Regions: Kano and Sokoto (in some reports)
  Key cities-Aba, Onitsha, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Yenagoa, Asaba, Makurdi, Lafia, Minna, Jos, and Jalingo are especially vulnerable due to urban flooding.

Why It Matters

This alert comes as heavy rains have already triggered floods in various parts of Nigeria earlier in 2025, including the devastating Mokwa flood and record rainfall that displaced over 15 million people nationwide.

Quick Facts Table

What You Should Do Now

Government & Local Authorities

• Activate emergency response units and ensure available relief materials.
• Alert communities via radio, social media, and community leaders.
• Prepare IDP centers in flood-prone regions.

Residents in At-Risk Areas

1. Watch river and drain levels closely; evacuate if they rise steadily.
2. Raise electrical appliances above flooding potential areas.
3. Store drinking water and essentials in waterproof containers within easy reach.
4. Avoid walking or driving through floodwaters just 15 cm of moving water can knock you down.
5. Keep a small emergency kit (first aid, torch, battery, phone, power backup) ready.

Businesses & Transport Operators

• Backup data and keep equipment secured above flood levels.
• Alert staff of possible operational disruptions.
• Diversify routes and warn customers of scheduled delays due to weather-related changes.

Health Units & NGOs

• Stock sanitation and medical supplies in anticipation of flood-induced crises.
• Preemptively vaccinate vulnerable groups where waterborne diseases may spike.

The Bigger Picture: Is This the New Normal?

The $64,000 question is whether these alerts hint at shifting weather patterns due to climate change, infrastructure gaps, or a combination of both. Scientific studies have warned of more intense rainstorm events across Nigeria in recent decades.

Previous flood disasters from the Borno dam failure of 2024 to Mokwa’s 2025 tragedy underscore how weakening infrastructure and urban drainage systems fail under pressure.

RoadKing.ng Verdict

This alert is more than cautionary, it’s a call to act now. When flood waters recede, it’s easy to forget. But this time, early mobilization could spare lives, preserve property, and restore trust in governance.

Let’s beat flood tragedy with preparedness not just response.