Northern Nigeria faces rising flood risks amid ongoing heatwave

As Northern Nigeria endures a prolonged heatwave with soaring temperatures, fresh alerts from federal authorities have identified the region among the areas most at risk of severe flooding in the coming months.

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) recently issued a heat stress warning for 18 northern states, including Kano, Borno, Sokoto, and the FCT, noting that temperatures could reach up to 40°C.

The agency attributed the weather condition to high humidity and clear skies following a few days of rainfall, urging residents to take preventive health measures.

In the midst of this heat, the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has also projected that 30 states and the FCT are at risk of flooding this year. The 2025 Annual Flood Outlook, presented by the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, identified hundreds of communities across the country—especially in states like Borno, Jigawa, Adamawa, and Zamfara—as highly vulnerable between April and November.

Many of these states experienced severe devastation during the 2024 floods. One of the most tragic incidents occurred in Borno State with the collapse of the Alau Dam, resulting in the reported deaths of over 150 persons and extensive damage in Maiduguri and Jere LGAs. Across other states like Benue, Kebbi, and Kogi, flood swept away homes, farmlands, and livelihoods.

Despite these experiences, many affected communities remain without adequate support or resettlement, raising fresh concerns about preparedness.

Environmental expert, Professor Aliyu Nabegu, in an interview with DAILY POST, emphasized the importance of heeding flood warnings. “Flood alerts are meant to call the attention of the public to do the needful, but many don’t listen,”; he said.

“Most environmental devastations are caused by human activity. Some people refuse to provide proper drainage for their properties or even unclog the existing ones, and water will find a way for itself if you block its path, leading to flooding.”;

He called on individuals and communities to start making necessary preparations in light of the current predictions, stressing that early action could prevent a repeat of last year’s devastation.

Commenting on the extreme heatwave, Professor Nabegu also called for a more introspective approach to climate change, pointing to deforestation as a major contributor. “Every day more trees are being felled for wood or other activities. Sadly, this is contributing to the excessive heat,”; he said.

He urged the public to adopt environmentally conscious habits while calling on the government to provide affordable and sustainable alternatives to wood fuel.

Nabegu encouraged all stakeholders to remain committed to the fight against climate change, stressing that long-term solutions must take priority over short-term fixes.

Meanwhile, federal authorities have announced several initiatives, including a National Flood Insurance Programme (NFIP) and an Integrated Climate Resilience Innovation Project (I-CRIP), to mitigate climate impacts and improve emergency response. The Niger Flood Project, another major effort, is expected to enhance flood control and river management across several states.

While these interventions are underway, local governments and communities are being urged to invest in improved drainage systems, enforce environmental regulations, and engage in early warning communication.

For many northern communities, the months ahead will test not only the accuracy of forecasts, but the readiness of institutions and the public to act on them.