NiMet Issues July Flood Alert: 20 Nigerian States, Including Lagos and Benue, at High Risk

NiMet Issues July Flood Alert: 20 Nigerian States, Including Lagos and Benue, at High Risk

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has raised alarm over the likelihood of flash flooding across multiple states in the country this July, urging residents to take precautionary measures as the rainy season intensifies.

In a flash flood risk alert released in Abuja on Monday, NiMet identified 20 states that may experience varying degrees of flash floods this month due to persistent rainfall.

According to the agency, Sokoto State faces a particularly high risk of flooding. Other states flagged include:

Kaduna, Zamfara, Yobe, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Jigawa, Adamawa, Taraba, Niger, Nasarawa, Benue, Ogun, Ondo, Lagos, Delta, Edo, Cross River, Rivers and Akwa Ibom.

NiMet advised residents in the affected areas to act swiftly to reduce potential risks. Measures recommended include:

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Relocating from flood-prone zones if necessary

Clearing blocked drainages

Preparing emergency kits

Turning off electricity and gas during floods

Strengthening mudslide and erosion defenses

With climate unpredictability and urban drainage challenges worsening flood risks, NiMet’s warning is a critical call for state authorities and communities to intensify disaster preparedness and response strategies.

The agency reaffirmed its commitment to providing timely updates and urged citizens to monitor its forecasts regularly to stay safe throughout the rainy season.