Eshiorameh Sebastian in Abuja
The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency has placed the nation on high alert, issuing a stern warning that major rivers and several dams have reached their peak levels, posing a significant and immediate threat of flooding to communities across multiple states.
This critical announcement, dated September 18, 2025, comes at the peak of the rainy season and signals a period of heightened danger for residents in low-lying and flood-prone areas.
The agency’s Director General, Umar Ibrahim Mohammed, confirmed that the country’s two most critical waterways, the River Niger and the River Benue, have swelled to their maximum capacity.
The situation is compounded by similar peaks in important tributaries, including the Rima, Kaduna, and Gongola rivers, creating a vast network of overloaded water systems. The cumulative effect of this excess water has led to a dangerous surge in reservoir levels at major dams, forcing controlled water releases that are now endangering downstream communities.
A detailed breakdown of the dam situation reveals the widespread nature of the threat. The Kainji Dam on the River Niger is now actively spilling excess water. This development directly places communities like Kainji town, Patigi, New Bussa, Borgu, and Mokwa in Niger and Kwara States in the path of potential flooding.
In a coordinated effort to manage the pressure, the Jebba Dam is also spilling water. This action, while necessary for dam integrity, exacerbates the risk for towns such as Jebba, Gungu, Gaba, Baro, and other settlements along the River Niger in Kwara and Kogi States.
Further north, the Goronyo Dam in Sokoto State has reached its full design capacity of 288 metres and is spilling at its maximum rate. This has already resulted in flooding in local areas, including Goronyo town, Wamako, Shinaka Yerimawa, and Kurukuru, with water levels expected to remain high.
In Adamawa State, the Kiri Dam on the River Gongola is also spilling. The downstream water level has been recorded at a high of 8.42 metres, leading to the flooding of communities such as Kiri, Tallum, Banjiram, Purokayo-Lakumna, and Shelleng. The agency provided crucial clarity on the role of the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon, a frequent source of concern during flood seasons. They confirmed that the dam is not spilling, with its reservoir level currently at 37 metres against a design height of 40 metres.
The ongoing flooding in parts of Adamawa State, specifically in Yola North, Yola South, Girei, and Numan, is therefore attributed to heavy local rainfall and runoff within the Benue catchment area, not water releases from Cameroon.
The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency is urging all residents in the identified risk areas to take immediate steps to safeguard their lives and property. The alert serves as a critical call for vigilance, advising people to avoid unnecessary travel through floodwaters and to prepare for possible evacuation if instructed by local emergency authorities.
The agency assured the public that it is working in close conjunction with dam authorities and other relevant emergency management agencies to monitor the situation and mitigate the impact.
The coming days are considered crucial, and the public is advised to stay informed through official channels for further updates and instructions. The collective focus remains on preventing loss of life and minimising the damage to property and infrastructure from the impending floods.
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