The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) has alerted Adamawa, Taraba, and Benue states on possible flooding in the next three days.
This, it attributed to persistent rainfall recorded in the affected states.
It also noted that there is a high possibility of flood occurring over parts of Bauchi and Kebbi states during the forecast period.
The flood alert, which cuts across the regions, was contained in the latest NiMET’s weather outlook valid from Monday to Wednesday this week.
The agency said: “For the northern region; there are prospects of morning thunderstorms with moderate rains over parts of Borno, Bauchi, Gombe, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Yobe, Adamawa and Taraba states.
“Later during the afternoon to evening hours, thunderstorms with moderate rains are expected over parts of Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Yobe, Gombe, Bauchi, Borno, Kaduna, Kano, Jigawa, Taraba and Adamawa states. Persistent rainfall recorded over Adamawa and Taraba states puts the states at high risk of flooding.
“In the central region, there are prospects of light rains over parts of Plateau, Nasarawa, Benue, the Federal Capital Territory and Niger states during the morning period. In the afternoon and evening hours, thunderstorms with moderate rains are anticipated over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Plateau, Niger, Nasarawa, Benue, Kwara and Kogi States. Persistent rainfall recorded over Benue state puts the state at high risk of flooding.”
In the southern region, NiMET said cloudy skies were expected with prospects of light rains over parts of Imo, Cross River and Akwa Ibom states during the morning period and later in the afternoon and evening period, moderate rains are expected over the entire region.
…Tuesday
In other parts of the north, NiMET predicted morning thunderstorms on Tuesday with moderate rains over parts of Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Kano, Bauchi, Gombe, Taraba, Adamawa, Katsina and Kaduna states.
According to the agency, thunderstorms with moderate rains were expected over the entire region during the afternoon and evening hours.
It further said there were prospects of light rains over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, Nasarawa, Plateau, Benue and Kogi states during the morning period.
In the afternoon/evening hours, it said there would be thunderstorms with light rains were anticipated over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, Benue, Nasarawa, Plateau and Kwara state.
It further warned of a high possibility of flood occurring over parts of Bauchi state during the forecast period.
“Cloudy skies are expected over the southern region with prospects of light rains to affect parts of Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Cross River and Bayelsa states during the morning period. Later in the afternoon/evening period, the rains are expected to continue over most parts of the region,” the agency said.
…Wednesday
On the third day (Wednesday), the agency said there would be morning thunderstorms with moderate rains over parts of Kano, Katsina, Bauchi, Adamawa, Taraba, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara states.
Thunderstorms with moderate rains are expected over the entire region during the afternoon and evening hours, it said.
“There is high possibility of flood occurring over parts of Kebbi state during the forecast period.
“For the central region, light rains are anticipated over parts of Niger, Nasarawa and the Federal Capital Territory state during the morning hours. In the afternoon and evening hours, thunderstorms with light rains are anticipated over the entire region.
“For the southern region, light rains are expected over parts of River, Edo, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Delta and Bayelsa states in the morning period. The rains are expected to continue over the entire region during the afternoon and evening period,” NiMET said.
It called on farmers not to apply fertiliser and pesticides right before the rains.
…NEMA conducts simulation exercise
In a related development, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has conducted a full-scale flood simulation exercise in Dukku, a riverine community on the outskirts of Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi state.
This, according to a statement Sunday by Head NEMA Press Unit, Manzo Ezekiel, was part of the agency’s plan to strengthen grassroots disaster preparedness.
The statement said Dukku has been identified as one of the high-risk communities vulnerable to severe flooding in the 2025 season, with a river running through the settlement increasing its exposure to flood hazards.
“The simulation exercise, organised in collaboration with the Kebbi State Government, was designed to test flood response plans, improve stakeholder coordination, and raise public awareness of potential disasters. It is part of NEMA’s broader preparedness strategy targeting flood-prone areas across Nigeria, especially in the North West and North Central zones.
“Leading the exercise was the Director General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, who emphasized the importance of readiness and collaboration in saving lives during disasters. She noted that the simulation was aimed at enhancing coordination, communication, and operational efficiency among all disaster response stakeholders,” the statement said.
“As we all know, flooding remains one of the most recurrent and devastating natural disasters in Nigeria, with far-reaching impacts on lives, livelihoods, infrastructure, and communities. We are simulating a crisis today so that we are better prepared to save lives when it becomes a reality. Let me reiterate that preparedness saves lives,” said the agency’s boss.
She added that the exercise was also intended to identify gaps in existing response mechanisms and strengthen multi-agency collaboration across the region.
“Participants in the exercise were critical first responders, including military Disaster Response Units (DRUs), the Nigeria Police, Federal Fire Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and the Nigerian Red Cross Society.
“The simulation was meant to also highlight the flood risks that may arise from intense rainfall and the potential overflow of dams in the region, which could significantly impact communities.
“As part of the Agency’s support to the common, the Director General NEMA Mrs. Zubaida Umar also presented life jackets to residents of Dukku to aid their personal safety in the event of flooding,” Ezekiel added.