HEAVY rainfall yesterday caused severe flooding across parts of Plateau, Bauchi, and Niger states, leading to widespread destruction of homes, schools, farmlands, and the displacement of hundreds of residents.
In the Menkaat community, Shimankar District of Shendam Local Government Area, more than 50 houses—including schools and a worship centre—were destroyed.
Residents reported that the early-morning downpour was accompanied by powerful winds that uprooted trees, downed electric poles, and ripped off rooftops.
The councillor representing Shimankar, Mazawaje Daniel Danjuma, confirmed the devastation, especially to rice farms, which were inundated with water and silt.
“Many residential buildings have collapsed, and farmlands have been washed away. People have suffered significant losses,” he said.
Another resident, Lawrence Longwalk, appealed to the government for immediate assistance, stressing the urgent need for support due to the destruction of two primary schools and a place of worship.
In Dass Local Government Area of Bauchi State, a similar storm displaced over 40 households and swept away farmland.
The Director of Relief and Rehabilitation at the Bauchi State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Adamu Nayola, said no fatalities were reported but emphasized the urgent humanitarian needs of affected families, especially women and children.
Nayola attributed the flooding to an improperly constructed culvert that failed to accommodate the water flow. He noted that SEMA had commenced assessments and would soon deliver relief materials.
In Niger State, heavy rainfall in Kafin Koro (Paikoro LGA) and 18 communities in Lapai LGA led to the submergence of several farmlands. Affected communities include Dere, Eshi, Apataku, Tsakanabi, Kuchi Kakanda, Arah, Achiba, Rebba, Ebwa, Pele, Edda, Rigido, Gbami, Yawa, Baka, and Muye.
The state government has urged residents in flood-prone, riverine areas to relocate to safer ground.
Speaking on the situation, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Communication, Media, and Strategy, Jonathan Vatsa, acknowledged emotional ties to ancestral homes but stressed that evacuation was necessary to prevent a repeat of past tragedies, such as the fatal flood in Mokwa.
“We understand the deep connection to ancestral lands, but the threat of flooding is real. We must act to protect lives,” he stated, adding that 15 of the state’s 25 local government areas have been classified as high-risk by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).
Meanwhile, the Federal Ministry of Environment’s National Flood Early Warning Centre has issued a red alert for potential flooding in 11 states.
At the launch of the 2025 Annual Flood Outlook in April, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, named the high-risk states, including:
Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, Zamfara, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
From March to July 2025, over 250 people have died, and thousands displaced due to floods and windstorms across several states, including Sokoto, Kaduna, Taraba, Ekiti, Ogun, and Imo.
The most devastating incident occurred on June 11 in Mokwa, Niger State, where over 200 people died and dozens went missing after floodwaters submerged the town.
Last week, torrential rain triggered floods in Maiduguri, Borno State, leaving hundreds homeless.
The police reported that eight buildings collapsed, though no casualties were recorded. Flooded areas included Bulunkutu, Pompomari Bypass, Damboa Road, Gamboru, Baga Road, Gwange, Moduganari, Dala, Moranti, and Jiddari Polo.
In Adamawa State, five people were confirmed dead and over 50 injured in a late July flood that ravaged Yola North and Yola South LGAs.
Hard-hit communities included Yola Bypass, Sabon Pegi, Yolde Pate, and Modire, where homes were submerged and roads destroyed.