The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has issued a fresh alert warning residents in at least 14 states to prepare for possible flash flooding following hours of heavy rainfall across parts of the country on Saturday.
The rain, which began early in the day, caused flooding in some urban areas and slowed down traffic in cities like Lagos. This came just hours after NiMet released a forecast predicting thunderstorms and rainfall across the country between Saturday and Monday.
States listed in the flash flood warning include Akwa Ibom, Sokoto, Zamfara, Plateau, Yobe, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Abia, Nasarawa, Benue, Ogun, Ekiti, Delta, and Rivers. NiMet described Akwa Ibom, especially low-lying and urban areas, as high-risk zones.
NiMet posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) account that, “As the rainy season intensifies, flash flooding remains a growing concern across Nigeria. Several states are already showing signs of significant rainfall accumulation.”
In the North, early morning thunderstorms were predicted in parts of Taraba, Kebbi, Zamfara, Kaduna, and Adamawa, while rainfall is expected later in the day in Sokoto, Borno, Gombe, and Bauchi. Central states like Benue, Plateau, the FCT, and Niger are also forecast to experience storms.
In a separate advisory, the Lagos State Government warned of imminent heavy rainfall and advised residents to clear blocked drainages to avoid waterlogging and road damage.
The warnings come on the heels of a recent tragedy in Mokwa, Niger State, where flash floods claimed over 200 lives. President Bola Tinubu described the disaster as distressing and called for urgent action to improve flood preparedness nationwide.
Citizens in affected states are being urged to take preventive steps such as clearing gutters and storm drains, avoiding walking or driving through flooded areas, and staying informed through official weather updates.
