Heavy Rainfall Looms As NiMet Issues Urgent Flood Warning Across Nigeria

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has issued a forecast warning of heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and possible flash floods across several parts of the country between Monday, September 22, and Wednesday, September 24, 2025. According to Ireporter Online, the agency, in its latest weather outlook released on Sunday in Abuja, urged Nigerians to take necessary precautions as the rainy season intensifies, cautioning that motorists, farmers, and residents in flood-prone areas remain particularly vulnerable.

NiMet explained that residents in the northern region should expect isolated thunderstorms with light showers on Monday morning in Adamawa and Taraba, while areas such as Kaduna, Gombe, Kebbi, Zamfara, Bauchi, southern Borno, and Taraba may experience more widespread thunderstorms as the day progresses. On Tuesday and Wednesday, the outlook indicates cloudy skies with sunshine intervals, though thunderstorms and rain are expected in parts of Kaduna, Bauchi, Gombe, Borno, Adamawa, Katsina, and Sokoto.

For the central states, NiMet projected cloudy skies with sunshine intervals in the early hours of Monday, followed by isolated thunderstorms and light rainfall in parts of Nasarawa, Plateau, Niger, the Federal Capital Territory, Benue, and Kogi. As the day advances, thunderstorms with moderate rainfall are expected across most parts of the region, a pattern forecast to continue until Wednesday, with significant downpours likely in Plateau and Nasarawa.

In the South, NiMet predicted cloudy skies and sunshine intervals on Monday morning, with light rain and thunderstorms expected in Ebonyi, Abia, Imo, Lagos, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom. By afternoon and evening, thunderstorms accompanied by moderate rainfall are expected to spread across much of the region. The agency specifically warned of flash floods in Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers States, urging local authorities to put emergency response measures in place. Similar conditions are projected for Tuesday and Wednesday, with persistent thunderstorms and heavy rainfall anticipated in Ogun, Ondo, Oyo, Anambra, and Enugu.

Issuing a safety advisory, NiMet urged Nigerians to exercise caution during the forecast period. Motorists were advised to drive carefully to avoid accidents caused by slippery roads and poor visibility, while farmers were cautioned against applying fertilizer or pesticides just before rainfall to prevent wastage. The agency also recommended that households disconnect electrical appliances during thunderstorms to avoid power surges and warned residents to steer clear of tall trees, weak structures, and loose objects that could pose hazards during strong winds. Airlines were equally advised to obtain airport-specific weather reports from NiMet for safe flight planning.

“We urge the public to remain calm but vigilant. Staying updated with daily weather information remains the safest approach during this rainy season,” NiMet emphasized.