Rainy Season: ‘Over 1,200 communities at high risk of flooding’

As the 2025 rainy season sets off, the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has warned that 1,249 communities across 176 local government areas (LGAs) in 33 states and Abuja are at high risk of flooding.

The alert was issued in Abuja on Thursday during the launch of the 2025 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) by the Joseph Utsev, minister of water resources and sanitation.

He noted that the 2025 AFO is centered on the theme “Promoting Community Preparedness and Adaptation”, and is structured into three components, which includes general flood forecast, communication strategy for timely warnings, and mitigation plan to reduce exposure and vulnerability.

According to the outlook, another 2,187 communities in 293 LGAs across 31 states and the FCT are projected to face moderate flood risk this year.

States flagged for high flood risk include Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, FCT, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, and Zamfara.

“According to the forecast, 657 communities in 52 LGAs are expected to experience high flood risk between April and June,” he said.

“544 communities in 142 LGAs between July and September; and 484 communities in 56 LGAs from October to November.

“Moderate flood risk is projected for 445 communities in 116 LGAs from April to June, 1,458 communities in 271 LGAs from July to September, and 1,473 communities in 171 LGAs between October and November.”

The minister also warned of likely flash and urban flooding in Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Kano, and Makurdi, due to poor drainage systems and weak urban infrastructure.

Coastal states including Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Lagos, Ogun, Rivers, and Ondo are expected to witness flooding from rising sea levels and tidal surges, posing threats to river-based activities and coastal livelihoods.

Utsev announced the launch of new initiatives, including a National Flood Insurance Programme to be piloted in Kogi and Jigawa states, and the Niger Flood Project to improve river navigation, flood control, and resilience to climate shocks. He also unveiled plans for an Integrated Climate Resilience Project and an upcoming Annual Drought Outlook.

Umar Mohammed, NIHSA director-general, stressed the agency’s commitment to using advanced technologies and fostering inter-agency collaboration to deliver more accurate and actionable flood forecasts.

“Our aim is to equip decision-makers with actionable information to protect lives, livelihoods, and property,” he said.

Mohammed said this year’s outlook uses a community-specific approach, going beyond LGAs to identify at-risk settlements and sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, transport, education, and water quality.