BY FRONTLINE REPORTERS

Flooding has continued to wreak havoc across several parts of Nigeria, leaving communities grappling with deaths, displacement and extensive damage to homes, roads, bridges, farms, schools and other critical infrastructure.

From the North to the South, torrential rainfall has forced families from their homes, disrupted economic activities and cut off communities as floodwaters submerged roads and damaged bridges.

Farmers, traders and business owners have also reported significant losses, while schools and health facilities in some affected areas have been disrupted.

The latest incidents occurred as the Nigerian Meteorological Agency warned that heavy rainfall would continue, particularly across the central and southern parts of the country.

A NiMet official said Nigeria was still in the peak of the rainy season, particularly in the central and southern regions, and advised residents to pay close attention to the agency’s daily weather forecasts.

“We are still within the rainy season. We give daily weather forecasts; we are in September, and if you check our seasonal forecast, we didn’t say the rain is going to stop before September,” the official said.

He explained that the continued southward movement of the Inter-Tropical Discontinuity meant that central states and parts of the South could continue to experience heavy rainfall.

He urged residents to remain vigilant and monitor weather alerts.

NEMA Activates Rescue Teams

The National Emergency Management Agency has deployed search-and-rescue teams to flood-affected states and activated its operational offices following recent weather alerts.

NEMA’s Head of Media and Public Relations, Manzo Ezekiel, said the agency was maintaining a high level of preparedness despite indications that the flood situation was not as severe as it was during the same period last year.

“So far, the records are better than incidents of last year. But we are not lowering our guard yet, because the season is still on,” Ezekiel said.

He explained that the Director-General of NEMA had activated all operational offices after the agency received a flood alert the previous week.

According to him, the agency’s search-and-rescue teams were directed to visit affected communities, coordinate with local response agencies and sensitise residents on the dangers associated with flooding.

“Last week there was an alert, and following that alert, the DG NEMA has activated all the operational offices to be on alert for deployment,” he said.

Ezekiel said a NEMA team was scheduled to move to Ebonyi State before proceeding to Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where flooding had become particularly serious.

“So, the director of search and rescue is on standby, is moving, leading a team to Ebonyi State, from there, we will move down to Port Harcourt because the incident is already bad there,” he said.

He attributed the recurring flooding to both natural and human factors, including poor town planning, construction on waterways and blocked drainage channels.

He added that some of the current flooding was caused by waterways overflowing after becoming saturated following sustained rainfall.

NEMA, he said, would provide technical support and reinforce local emergency response efforts, while relief materials would be distributed to affected communities.

Bauchi Records Deaths, Property Damage

In Bauchi State, the State Emergency Management Agency identified Toro, Bauchi, Ningi, Shira, Gamawa and Kirfi as the worst-affected local government areas during the ongoing rainy season.

The agency’s Director of Disaster Management, Adamu Nayola, said the first five local government areas were particularly affected by windstorms and heavy rainfall, while Kirfi experienced flooding.

He said two deaths had been recorded in Kirfi, while thousands of houses and other properties were damaged.

“We cannot estimate the exact number of damages caused at the moment, but we have recorded two deaths in Kirfi Local Government Area and thousands of people have had their houses and properties damaged,” Nayola said.

He explained that no Internally Displaced Persons camp had been established because most affected residents had moved in with relatives.

Dam Overflow Triggers Panic in Edo

Residents of Enwan community in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State were thrown into panic after the Ojirami Dam overflowed following heavy rainfall.

The floodwaters submerged portions of the Enwan-Igarra-Ososo Expressway, making the road impassable to commuters.

Community leader Dr Agbadua Bamidele expressed concern that continued rainfall could result in the submergence of the entire community.

He recalled that the dam overflowed in 1980, reportedly submerging more than 500 houses and killing several people.

Residents also complained about the impact of the flooding on schools, farms and businesses.

Poultry farmer Monday John said he lost 1,400 birds after floodwaters entered his premises.

Another resident, Chief John Omaze, said the flood damaged his home, palm-oil mill and other property.

The Executive Secretary of the Edo State Emergency Management Agency, Jerry Idahosa, however, said the immediate threat posed by the overflowing dam had been contained.

He said repairs had been carried out around the affected section and that the water board had been advised on controlled water releases when the dam’s level rises.

Bayelsa Community Loses More Than 200 Houses

In Bayelsa State, residents of Obogoro community in Yenagoa Local Government Area said more than 200 houses had been lost to flooding and erosion caused by the advancing Ekoli River.

Residents said the river had continued to encroach on the community, destroying homes, farmlands and other infrastructure.

They appealed to the state and Federal Governments, as well as the Niger Delta Development Commission and emergency agencies, for urgent intervention.

The President of the Epie-Atissa Peoples Congress, Obesi Benjamin, said only about a quarter of the community remained.

“Today, the community is gradually disappearing. What we are seeing is just one quarter of the community that is left,” he said.

He said the flooding had also affected a primary school, football field, NYSC lodge and burial grounds.

Floods Displace Families in Imo

Nine local government areas in Imo State were affected by heavy rainfall and flooding, with several roads rendered impassable.

Affected locations included Akwakuma, Amakaohia, Works Layout, Orji and the IMSU back gate in Owerri North.

In Owerri West, floodwaters affected Umuguma, Eziobodo, Obinze, Ihiagwa, Emeabiam, Federal Housing Estate, parts of New Owerri and FUTO Road.

Other affected areas included Obowo, Onuimo, Aboh Mbaise, Ideato North, Ideato South, Orlu and Orsu.

The Acting Head of NEMA’s Imo office, Innocent Nweze, said the agency evacuated families trapped by floodwaters in Akwakuma to higher ground.

He said officials were also monitoring several other communities following flood alerts.

A reported death in Umuguma had not been independently verified at the time of filing.

Rivers Flooding Claims Teenager’s Life

Flooding also affected several parts of Rivers State, particularly Port Harcourt City and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas.

Residents of Marine Base, also known as Firisaka Polo, said they had endured flooding for nearly a month.

One resident, Sunny Etim, said residents had resorted to hiring pumping machines to remove water from their homes.

He said residents were spending about N7,000 daily to hire the machines and called for improved drainage and other flood-control measures.

In Iriebe, Obio/Akpor, the Rivers State Rehabilitation Centre was submerged, while corps members at the nearby NYSC transit camp were also affected.

Other affected locations included UPE Borikiri Sandfield, NTA/Mgboba axis, Eleme, Oyigbo, Ahoada West and Ahoada East.

The flooding reportedly claimed the life of 17-year-old Ifeanyichukwu Osuji at Umuebereke community in Oyigbo.

Meanwhile, the Obio/Akpor Local Government Council commenced the desilting of canals and drainage channels across flood-prone areas.

Osun, Ekiti Communities Affected

Seven local government areas in Osun State were affected by flooding, with damage reported to homes, private property and public infrastructure.

The affected areas were Atakunmosa West, Ilesa West, Obokun, Osogbo, Olorunda, Iwo and Ifelodun.

In Atakunmosa West, residents of Osunjela lost personal belongings, while the bridge linking Ijaaregbe to Ilesa was damaged.

A bridge in Iwo was also damaged, while homes in Sasa, Ijetu and Famson were flooded.

In Ekiti State, flooding entered its third day in several parts of Ado Ekiti and neighbouring communities.

Affected locations included Ayemi Garage, Adehun, Elemi River, Again Road, Abekoko, Falegan, Adere, Ureje, Iyana Eminrin and the new Airport Road.

Reports that three people were swept away around Ayemi Garage and Elemi had not been independently confirmed at the time of filing.

The Ekiti State Government said it had spent more than N1.18bn between 2023 and 2026 on flood-control interventions, including the rehabilitation of waterways and drainage infrastructure.

Abia, Anambra Record Deaths

In Abia State, flooding affected more than 16 communities, with reports of deaths and extensive damage to houses and other property.

The overall claim of about 20 deaths and more than 800 houses destroyed or submerged had not been independently verified at the time of reporting.

However, the death of 12-year-old Sopuruchi Ibe, a student of Federal Government College, Ohafia, was confirmed after he was swept away by floodwater.

Another man, identified as Ejiuwa, was also reported dead at Ugwueke in Bende Local Government Area.

Flooding disrupted schools, businesses and transportation in several parts of the state.

In Anambra State, Onitsha, Awka, Nnewi, Ekwulobia and Ogidi were among the affected areas.

The flooding claimed the life of a school pupil, Success Ezenwafor, after a shuttle bus carrying him and other pupils was overturned along the Isiagu-Nibo-Awka Link Road.

Seven other children and two adults were rescued.

Floodwaters also damaged crops and livestock in riverine communities in Ogbaru and Anambra East.

The state government subsequently issued a flood alert and advised residents in vulnerable areas to relocate to safer locations where necessary.

Yobe Reports More Than 34,000 People Affected

The Yobe State Emergency Management Agency said 34,533 people had been affected by tropical windstorms, heavy rainfall and flash floods across 15 local government areas since May.

The agency reported that 9,845 households had been affected, while 21,363 shelters or rooms were damaged or destroyed.

It also recorded 303 injuries and 11 deaths.

The agency said 468 households, comprising 1,120 people, had been displaced and were in urgent need of emergency shelter and household items.

Kano Reports Nine Deaths

In Kano State, SEMA said nine people were killed and 4,524 displaced by rainstorms and windstorms between January and August 2026.

The incidents occurred across several local government areas, including Gaya, Ajingi, Rimin Gado, Minjibir, Kabo, Bichi, Shanono and Kibiya.

More recently, flooding in Shuwaki town in Tudun Wada Local Government Area destroyed more than 200 rice farms and damaged a historic bridge along the Tudun Wada-Shuwaki Road.

The Kano State House of Assembly subsequently called for emergency assistance for affected residents and the reconstruction of the damaged bridge.

Delta, Benue Intensify Response

In Delta State, torrential rainfall caused flooding in Udu, Uvwie, Warri South and Ughelli North local government areas.

Agbarho and Ovwian were among the affected communities, with floodwaters submerging homes, schools, roads and farmlands.

Residents in parts of Ovwian reportedly resorted to using canoes to move around their neighbourhoods.

In Benue State, flooding submerged houses in parts of Makurdi, Buruku and Guma local government areas.

An allegation that a 10-year-old girl was swept away in Makurdi remained unconfirmed, according to the state emergency agency.

In Nasarawa State, officials commenced sensitisation campaigns across the state’s 13 local government areas and established temporary settlement arrangements in flood-prone locations.

Zamfara State, meanwhile, reported that no flooding had occurred despite heavy rainfall. Authorities said they were continuing to monitor vulnerable communities and sensitise residents against building on waterways and dumping refuse in drainage channels.

Senate Calls for Faster Relief

The Senate has expressed concern over the impact of flooding on communities, farmers and families across the country, urging governments at all levels to strengthen disaster preparedness and improve relief efforts.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, speaking during the resumption of plenary, called for early preparation, adequate protection of vulnerable communities and prompt delivery of relief materials to victims.

“A warning must lead to preparation, preparation must lead to protection, and relief must reach the people for whom it is intended,” Akpabio said.

He warned that the consequences of flooding extended beyond the destruction of homes and farms, noting that agricultural losses could further affect food security.

Akpabio commended emergency agencies and individuals involved in rescue operations but called for faster and better-coordinated responses to disasters.

Calls for Long-Term Solutions

The latest wave of flooding has renewed concerns about Nigeria’s preparedness for extreme rainfall and the capacity of authorities to protect vulnerable communities.

While emergency agencies have undertaken evacuations, rescue operations, drainage desilting and public sensitisation in some areas, residents in affected communities are demanding more permanent solutions.

These include improved drainage systems, dredging of waterways, erosion control, proper maintenance of dams and reconstruction of damaged roads and bridges.

Authorities have also continued to urge residents to avoid dumping refuse in drainage channels, constructing on waterways and occupying flood-prone areas.

With the rainy season still underway, emergency agencies have warned communities to remain vigilant and respond promptly to weather and flood alerts as further rainfall could worsen conditions in already vulnerable areas