The Federal Government, through the National Flood Early Warning (FEW) Centre of the Federal Ministry of Environment, has issued an additional red-alert warning that Kaduna and six other states in northern Nigeria are at risk of flooding between October 1 and October 3, 2025, after forecasts of heavy rainfall and rising water levels.
The alert, in a statement signed by Usman Abdullahi Bokani, Director of the Erosion, Flood and Coastal Zone Management Department, named the seven states and specific communities that should be on high alert.
The seven states and communities named in the FEW Centre circular were:
Adamawa — Mubi plus other riverine and low-lying communities (Farkumo, Jimeta, Mayo-Belwa, Wuro Bokki, Yola noted in FEW circulars).
Kebbi — Highest number of locations on the circular: Argungu, Bagudu, Ganri-Banza, Gwandu, Jega, Kalgo, Kamba, Kangiwa and Birnin Kebbi.
Bauchi — Azare and other communities flagged in FEW warnings.
Zamfara — Multiple localities including Gusau and other LGAs previously listed in FEW advisories.
Sokoto — Isa, Shagari and parts of Sokoto were included among towns at risk.
Kaduna — The FEW circular lists Jaji and Zaria; the state has already seen localised flooding (Manchok, Kaura LGA) that submerged houses and farmlands in September.
Niger — Magama and Sarkin-Pawa were named; Niger State also suffered the catastrophic Mokwa flood earlier in 2025, underscoring vulnerability along certain river corridors.
This advisory follows a string of federal flood forecasts issued through September that covered many more states (14–19 states in various FEW/NIHSA/NEMA notices) as the rainy season intensifies and river/dam levels rise across river basins such as the Niger and Benue.
Federal agencies have in recent weeks flagged dozens to hundreds of communities in multiple states as vulnerable.
The Federal Ministry of Environment’s FEW Centre urged local governments, state emergency management agencies (SEMA), NEMA, security agencies and community leaders to monitor water levels, activate local response plans, and disseminate early-warning messages to vulnerable communities.
Kaduna state has reported local flooding in communities such as Manchok in Kaura LGA; state and local authorities were called to provide relief and assess damage.
National agencies (NIHSA/NiMet) and humanitarian actors have repeatedly cautioned that continued heavy rains, and releases from upstream dams (where applicable), could change exposure rapidly — meaning lists may expand or contraction depending on rainfall.
Residents in named communities and other low-lying areas have been advised to move to higher ground or prepared evacuation centres if water levels rise, avoid crossing flooded roads; electricity and sanitation risks increase during floods and keep emergency kits (documents, medicines, food/water) ready and follow instructions from local authorities.
