The Federal Government issued a flood warning for several northern states, identifying high-risk areas such as Adamawa, Bauchi, Nasarawa, Kaduna, Katsina, and Kebbi. In response, these states are rolling out plans to contain flooding or mitigate its impact.
In Adamawa, the government activated its Disaster Response Unit in collaboration with NEMA, conducting advocacy to encourage residents to leave flood-prone areas. Bauchi launched a desilting project across all local government areas and appealed for the revival of the Kafin Zaki Dam project. Nasarawa is intensifying awareness campaigns and distributing speed boats to vulnerable communities.
Kaduna has prepared for potential flooding in high-risk local government areas and established a Flood Emergency Operation and Response Team. Kebbi formed a committee to identify vulnerable areas and deployed experts to block water inflows. In Kwara, the government is directing residents in riverine areas to relocate and advising farmers to harvest crops and move livestock to safer locations.
Sokoto and Katsina are conducting awareness campaigns and establishing Local Emergency Management Committees. Niger State has built Internally Displaced Persons camps and designated schools for emergency shelter. Taraba’s Emergency Management Agency is working to avert flooding in vulnerable communities and advising residents to relocate, while Zamfara has launched public awareness campaigns.
In Enohia Itim, Afikpo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, a flood resulted in eight deaths and the destruction of over 800 farmlands. Three bodies have been recovered, but five people are still missing, including children. The flood was caused by severe rainfall.
The Chairman of Afikpo Local Government Area expressed condolences to the families affected and pledged to collaborate with relevant agencies to provide assistance. An emergency response team from SEMA has been dispatched to the community. The Federal Ministry of Environment had previously identified Afikpo as an area likely to experience flooding, urging the community to prepare accordingly.
