July 8, 2025
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) has issued a fresh warning that at least 20 states across the country are at high risk of flooding during the month of July, 2025, due to increased rainfall intensity and overflow of major rivers.
This alert, contained in NIMET’s monthly Climate and Weather Outlook released on Monday, underscores the potential danger to lives, property, infrastructure, and farmlands, especially in low-lying and riverine communities.
According to the forecast, the states likely to be affected include: Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Nasarawa, Kaduna, Taraba, Adamawa, Bauchi, Plateau, Ebonyi, and Anambra.
NIMET noted that the anticipated floods may result from both localised heavy rainfall and the rise in water levels of the River Niger and River Benue due to inflows from upstream countries.
The agency urged state governments, emergency responders, and residents in high-risk zones to take precautionary measures and begin proactive evacuation and drainage clearance operations to mitigate the impact.
“Public enlightenment, early warning dissemination, and collaboration with relevant agencies such as NEMA and State Emergency Management Agencies are critical at this time,” NIMET stated.
In response, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has activated its disaster preparedness protocols and called on affected communities to remain alert and responsive to evacuation orders if necessary.
This development comes amid Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to enhance flood response capacity following devastating incidents in previous years that displaced thousands and caused multi-billion naira losses across several states.
