New Flood Warnings Issued for Ten States
The federal ministry of environment has issued urgent warnings regarding potential flooding across at least ten states in Nigeria, citing days of heavy rain as a significant risk factor for vulnerable areas.
Heavy Rainfall Predicted
According to the advisory released by the ministry’s Erosion, Flood, and Coastal Zone Management Department through the National Flood Early Warning Center (NFEWS), substantial rainfall is anticipated between April 13 and April 17, 2026. The report highlights a high likelihood of flooding in low-lying and flood-prone regions of the country.
States at Risk
The affected states include Adamawa, Enugu, Kaduna, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, and Taraba. Officials have pinpointed specific locations within these states that are particularly at risk if rainfall levels exceed acceptable thresholds.
Identified Vulnerable Locations
In Adamawa State, areas such as Ganye and Gbaruji are slated to be impacted, while Nsukka in Enugu State has also been designated as a danger zone. Communities in Kaduna State, including Buruku, Kachia, Kaduna, and Kafanchan, are similarly on alert.
The warning further includes Ibaji in Kogi State and Bodesadu along with Ilorin in Kwara State as locations of concern. In Niger State, communities like Chanchaga, Minna, and Sarkin-Pawa face potential flooding, while Osun State residents in areas such as Ilesa, Iragbiji, Osogbo, and Otan-Aigbaju may also be affected.
Areas of Major Concern
Among the multitude of vulnerable areas in Oyo State, particularly notable is Ibadan, which includes locations such as Apata, Bodija, Challenge, Elele, Moniya, Odoona, and Oju that have historically encountered drainage issues during heavy rain. Other areas of concern include Bukuru in Plateau State and Seruti in Taraba State.
Call for Preparedness and Response
The ministry has emphasized the severe implications of the expected flooding, which could disrupt local livelihoods, damage critical infrastructure, and threaten lives if appropriate measures are not taken. Residents in the affected regions are urged to clean drainage systems, avoid constructing or residing near watercourses, and prepare for potential evacuations.
Cooperation Among Stakeholders
State governments, emergency management agencies, and local authorities are advised to activate their contingency plans and bolster early response mechanisms in anticipation of the flooding. The ministry also advocates for ongoing awareness initiatives to educate residents about safety measures and to ensure compliance with precautionary instructions.
Usman Abdullahi Bokani, the Director General of Erosion, Floods, and Coastal Zone Management, underscored the critical importance of early preparedness in mitigating the impact of natural disasters. This warning underscores the escalating concerns surrounding seasonal flooding in Nigeria, exacerbated by climate change’s effect on rainfall patterns and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events in the country.
