FG Issues Fresh Flood Alert for 198 LGAs, Lists High-Risk States

The Federal Government has warned of “high to very high” flood risks in 198 LGAs across 32 states and the FCT between August 7 and 21, urging residents in vulnerable areas to prepare for possible evacuation.

The Federal Government has issued a fresh flood alert for 198 local government areas across 32 states and the FCT, warning of “high to very high flood risks” between August 7 and August 21.

The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), in an alert with reference No: 32-25-003-06, raised the alarm on Thursday through its Director General, Mr. Umar Ibrahim, following rising river levels and persistent rainfall across the country.

NIHSA warned that “possible disruption of major transportation routes is anticipated”, with over 100 communities and key highways likely to be affected during the forecast period. The high-risk states include Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, the FCT, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, and Nasarawa, among others.

The agency urged emergency management stakeholders to activate response protocols and advised communities at risk to prepare evacuation plans. Residents were encouraged to follow NIHSA’s weekly state-level forecasts and updates on its flood dashboard and official social media platforms.

DON’T MISS: Court Orders Forfeiture of Park View Estate Property Linked to N986m Diesel Fraud

The warning comes just days after the Federal Ministry of Environment’s National Flood Early Warning Systems Centre issued a five-day rainfall alert that could trigger flooding in 19 states and 76 locations.

Meanwhile, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and state emergency agencies in Anambra, Ebonyi, and Enugu have begun flood preparedness activities, although they report that residents remain reluctant to vacate their homes despite repeated warnings.

Authorities in flood-prone states have set up holding centres, carried out sensitisation campaigns, conducted simulation exercises, and marked out safe zones on higher ground. NEMA has also created WhatsApp communication groups linking local committees, SEMAs, and federal officials for real-time flood monitoring and rapid response.

Officials continue to urge residents to relocate from riverine areas, clear blocked drainages, and avoid dumping refuse in waterways, stressing that “the flood is real and escalating due to climate change, poor urban planning, and other environmental factors.”