Nigerian authorities warn of catastrophic floods as hydro dams discharge excess water, urging riverine communities in Niger State to evacuate.
Authorities in Nigeria’s Niger State have issued urgent warnings of “catastrophic flooding” as four major hydro-electric dams prepare to release excess water.
The Shiroro, Jebba, Kainji and Zungeru dams, which sit on tributaries feeding the Niger and Kaduna rivers, have begun controlled discharges following heavy rains. The move is necessary to prevent structural risk to the facilities, but officials say it will likely intensify flooding across riverine communities.
The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) said on Thursday that the impending flood could wash away homes, farmland, and infrastructure, warning thousands of residents to relocate immediately.
“Thousands of gallons of water are being released per minute, and this could overwhelm the Niger and Kaduna rivers,” said NSEMA’s Director-General, Alhaji Abdullahi Baba Arah. “Communities living along the riverbanks are strongly advised to move to safer ground identified by the authorities.”
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The Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency has also cautioned that settlements downstream of the dams face serious risk, particularly during what officials describe as the peak of the rainy season.
In addition to flood risks, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) has forecast violent windstorms as the rainy season draws to a close. NSEMA has urged residents to avoid sheltering under trees or near weak structures during storms.
Parts of Niger State are already feeling the impact of worsening floods. Several local government areas—including Lavun, Mokwa, Kontagora, Gbako, Shiroro, Bida and others—have seen homes destroyed, farmlands submerged, and critical bridges and link roads swept away.
“The development has rendered many homeless and severely disrupted socio-economic activities across affected communities,” Arah said. He added that lives have been lost, though he did not disclose casualty figures.
Flooding remains a recurring threat in Nigeria, where seasonal rains often cause rivers to swell beyond capacity. Experts have long warned that outdated infrastructure, poor drainage systems, and settlements built in flood-prone areas heighten the risks.
With more water still expected to be discharged from the dams, authorities are racing to coordinate emergency shelters and relief for displaced residents. The agency urged the public to remain alert, stressing that early evacuation could save lives.
