*FG issues flood alert, predicts heavy rainfall, flooding in 12 States
*Predicts 4 days period of heavy rainfall, flooding with effect from Sunday Sep. 14
*That Adamawa, Benue, Taraba, Delta, Kebbi, Katsina, Zamfara among others are most vulnerable
*Urges stakeholders to take urgent action to minimise loss of lives, property
By Ngozi Nwankwo
Federal Government has predicted that about 12 states of the country are likely to witness heavy rainfall that may lead to flooding.
Speaking through the Erosion, Flood and Coastal Zone Management Department, National Flood Early Warning Center, a department under the Ministry of Environment, the FG predicted a period of four days for the flooding, starting from 14 (Sunday) to 18th September,2025.
The following locations and their environs were among fingered to witness heavy rainfall that may lead to flooding within four days: Adamawa State: Ganye, Natubi; Benue State: Abinsi, Agyo, Gogo, Ito, Makurdi, Udoma, Ukpiam; Nasarawa State: Agima, Rukubi, Odogbo; Taraba State: Beli, Serti, Donga;Delta State: Umugboma, Umukwata, Abraka, Aboh, Okpo-Krika.
Other states include: Niger State: Rijau;
Kebbi State: Ribah; Kano State: Gwarzo, Karaye; Katsina State: Jibia; Sokoto State: Makira; Zamfara State: Kaura Namoda, Shinkafi, Maradun, Gusau, Anka, Bungudu.
The warning signed by the Director/Erosion, Flood & Coastal Zone Mgt Dept,Usman Abdullahi Bokani, said due to the rise in the water level of River Gongola, River Benue, and Niger, communities on the flood plain of River Gongola up to Numan,flood plain of River Benue and River Niger up to Lokoja are advised to evacuate.
The ministry urged communities along the floodplains including Gongola up to Numan, and from Benue and Niger up to Lokoja to evacuate immediately
Bokani urged the relevant stakeholders to take urgent action.
“Feedback from the relevant stakeholders and State Government representatives on this platform will be highly appreciated,” he said.
It would be recalled that on September 4, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said floods had killed 231 people this year, injured 607, while 114 remain missing.
In 2024, more than 5.2 million people were affected by floods across 35 states and 401 Local Government Areas with over 1.2 million displaced.
