On Thursday, September 18, 2025, the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NiHSA) issued a critical flood alert, warning that the Niger and Benue Rivers have reached their peak levels, posing significant threats to communities in surrounding areas, as stated by Director-General Muhammad Umar (Web:0, Web:1). Umar urged immediate evacuation of flood-prone zones and emphasized proactive measures to safeguard lives and property, noting the dams’ coordinated spilling exacerbates risks (Web:0). The alert follows heavy rainfall and internal runoff, with no release from Cameroon’s Lagdo Dam, but the Benue’s tributaries, including Rima, Kaduna, and Gongola, are also at peak levels (Web:0, Web:2).
Dam Spilling and At-Risk Communities: Kainji Dam, spilling excess water, endangers Kainji town, Patigi, New Bussa, Borgu, and Mokwa in Niger and Kwara states (Web:0). Jebba Dam’s spilling threatens Jebba town, Gungu, Gana, Fanga, Bele, Bere, Gaba, Baro, and Kogi communities (Web:0). Zungeru Dam is stable, but Goronyo Dam’s maximum spilling floods Goronyo, Wamako, Shinaka Yerimawa, Kurukuru, and Sokoto environs (Web:0). Kiri Dam’s spilling impacts Kiri, Tallum, Banjiram, Purokayo-Lakumna, and Shelleng in Adamawa (Web:0). Flooding in Yola North, South, Girei, and Numan stems from heavy rainfall, not Lagdo (Web:0).
NiHSA is coordinating with dam authorities to mitigate downstream impacts and called on states and locals to act swiftly (Web:0). X posts from @NiHSA_NG (September 18, 2025) urged evacuations, while @Naija_Activist highlighted 1.4 million displaced by 2022 floods, warning of higher 2025 tolls (NEMA, 2025) (Post:3). The alert underscores Nigeria’s vulnerability, with 30 states at risk (Web:1).
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