The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has issued a weather advisory warning of severe flash floods across 13 states between August 11 and August 20.
In the advisory issued Tuesday, NiMet listed the states to be affected by the high-risk flash flood as Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, Niger, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Adamawa, Plateau, Benue, Kogi, Taraba, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom.
NiMet stated that the regional outlook was compiled using critical meteorological metrics, including forecast rainfall intensity, prevailing soil saturation, urban drainage capacity, local terrain, and dam characteristics.
“It serves as an early warning and decision-support tool for proactive preparedness, emergency response planning, and disaster risk-reduction measures,” the agency said in a statement.
The meteorological body warned that sustained downpours could trigger severe localized flooding in low-lying, urban, and riverside communities.
Potential disruptions include major highway closures, severe traffic congestion, transport delays, compromised telecommunications infrastructure, temporary electricity cuts, waterlogged farmlands threatening crops and livestock, and heightened risks of waterborne disease outbreaks.
State emergency management agencies, local farmers, and residents within the flagged corridors have been advised to monitor real-time weather updates, clear blocked waterways, and prepare for potential evacuations.
