Heavy Flooding Expected to Affect 198 LGAs in 31 States, FG Warns

As heavy rains continue to affect parts of Nigeria, the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NiHSA) has issued a warning that 198 local government areas (LGAs) across 31 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will experience severe flooding from August 7 to 21, 2025.

This alert came as the Lagos State government expressed sympathy for Ikorodu residents affected by the floods caused by a prolonged downpour on Monday. The state government assured that measures were being put in place to manage flash floods, and plans for humanitarian assistance in affected communities are being finalized.

Earlier, the Federal Government had also warned of flooding in 19 states, with the National Flood Early Warning Systems Centre urging stakeholders and residents to take immediate precautionary actions.

NiHSA’s warning categorized flood risks as Very High, High, and Moderate, depending on local topography and the intensity of rainfall. The states at risk include Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, FCT, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, and Zamfara.

832 Communities Under Threat

NiHSA also reported that over 832 communities are at risk of flooding, with more than 100 major transportation routes likely to face disruptions. There is also a high likelihood of displacement, particularly in low-lying and flood-prone areas.

Director General of NiHSA, Umar Mohammed, urged residents in the affected areas to remain vigilant and follow early warning directives, while working with emergency response agencies. He appealed to state and local governments to take proactive measures to mitigate the risks and ensure community safety.

“The agency will continue to monitor the hydrological situation and provide timely updates,” Mohammed stated, urging citizens to follow NiHSA’s official channels or contact State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs) for real-time flood updates.

Lagos State Assesses Flood Impact in Ikorodu

In Lagos, the torrential rainfall on Monday, which lasted for over 13 hours, left parts of the state flooded, with residents counting their losses. Special Adviser on Environment, Engr. Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, expressed sympathy for the affected residents after conducting an on-the-spot assessment of the Ikorodu drainage infrastructure construction.

Rotimi-Akodu explained that the magnitude of the rainfall was exceptional and could only be experienced once in decades, attributing the situation to climate change. He assured that ongoing infrastructure projects would address the perennial flooding problems in Ikorodu.

“We are here to ensure that the drainage projects are completed swiftly to mitigate the impact of future floods,” Rotimi-Akodu said, adding that residents should dispose of waste responsibly to avoid clogging drains.

Lagos Government Faces Criticism

Meanwhile, the governorship candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 Lagos election, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, criticized the state government’s advice to flood-affected residents of Ikorodu to vacate the area. He called the advice a sign of governance failure, pointing out that the lack of a clear relocation plan or support was not leadership.

Rhodes-Vivour’s media aide, Adewole Ireti, also expressed frustration over the Lagos State government’s dismissive approach to the crisis, stating that instead of offering solutions, the government issued an ultimatum to residents without providing any support.

Lagos Fish Farmers Suffer N150 Million Loss

The Lagos State Catfish and Allied Farmers Association (LASCAFAN) has reported a loss exceeding N150 million due to the floods in Ikorodu. LASCAFAN Vice President Olatoye Fajimi revealed that the heavy rainfall caused significant damage to fish farms, with many fish washed away into nearby gutters and canals.

“We estimate the damage at over N150 million, with more than 50 fish farmers affected,” Fajimi said, adding that some areas that had never flooded before were also impacted. The loss has been devastating for the fish farming community, as the flooding occurred overnight, leaving little time for farmers to salvage their investments.