The Federal Government said that the states would experience severe flooding between April and November.
Professor Joseph Utsev, Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, revealed this at the unveiling of the 2025 Annual Flood Outlook by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency in Abuja on Thursday.
States have started taking steps to stop the flooding that is predicted to affect at least 1,249 communities in 176 local governments across 30 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
These steps include dredging water channels, relocating communities on river banks, and relocating communities on river banks and floodplains.
“Also, the completion of the 21km Federal College of Education Technical gully erosion control project has provided adequate running water channels, and the one embarked by the state government from behind International Hotel to commissioner of police residence has provided water channels for easy passage.
“Residents are also advised against indiscriminate refuse dumping to avoid blockage of canals and so forth. Also, sensitisation to flood-prone areas will be adequately done,” he added.
The administration of Delta State claims that, like other governments, it has started raising public awareness and cleaning up waterways.
“Before the Federal Government’s announcement on flood, we already started sensitisation, telling our people the danger of flooding,” revealed Mr. Jamani Ejiro, the state commissioner for the environment.
“Before the rain comes, we have already opened our water channel and cleared the drains. We are on top of the situation,” he assured.
The Nasarawa State Emergency Management Agency described the measures being taken to avert floods, including informing locals about the risks of residing in flood-prone locations, in an interview with our correspondent in Lafia on Thursday.
Venues for the temporary settlement of displaced people are being established around the state, according to Danladi Obagu, the agency’s Director of Planning, Research, and Statistics.
He said that the organisation has sent staff to villages and LGAs that were vulnerable to flooding.
He said, “We are preparing because Nasarawa is among the states that have been predicted to experience serious flooding this year.
“So, the agency, with the authority and support of the governor, has started going around to sensitise the people in the riverine and the flood-prone areas.
“The LGAs usually affected by flood are Nasarawa, Toto, Doma, Awe, Lafia, Obi, Karu and Akwanga, but we are doing everything possible to avert the losses that come with it this year.”
He further noted that relief materials would be provided for flood victims.
“However, we are appealing to the people who live along riverine areas to move to high grounds to avoid any form of casualties,” he added.
A committee was established three months ago to carry out measures aimed at preventing floods throughout the state, according to Ali Abdullahi, the interim director-general of the Borno State Emergency Management Agency.
“The state government has been doing a lot, we have been working closely with the NIMET. The state government has a permanent committee on flood control and other related matters. The committee has the responsibility of sensitising the communities, dredging the riverways and clearing the drainages. They have been working for the past three months,” he further explained.
The Bayelsa State Directorate of Flood and Erosion Control said that it will shortly empty the canals in Yenagoa, the state capital, to prevent the upcoming floods.
To combat flash floods, the directorate’s chief, Walson Omusu, stated that the canals had been located and would shortly be cleaned.
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He said that by May, the directorate will have fully removed all weeds and other impediments from all of the canals.
The Bauchi State Government stated that it has continued to raise awareness in communities that are vulnerable to flooding.
Speaking with The Intercept on Thursday, the Information Officer for the State Emergency Management Agency, Adamu Nayola, noted that since the last rainy season, SEMA has not rested on its oars but tirelessly advocated measures to mitigate flooding.
“The state government through SEMA has been putting necessary measures in place including creating awareness to the residents of flood prone communities.
“Areas affected by the last rainy season, including bridges, are under reconstruction to avoid severe implications,” he remarked.
