The federal government has alerted 28 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) over possible devastating flood that may accompany heavy rainfall expected over the next two weeks.
It warned that it could trigger widespread flooding in hundreds of communities across states of the country.
A statement by the Federal Ministry of Environment through the National Flood Early Warning Systems Centre, stated that the floods would most likely take place between July 19 and August 1, 2026.
It emphasised that persistent rainfall, saturated soils, rising river levels, and overstretched drainage systems formed part of the major factors likely to worsen the flooding.
The statement further stated that both the Northern and Southern states remain vulnerable, adding however, that densely populated urban centres, coastal settlements, and riverine communities in the South are expected to face heightened risks of flash floods, river overflow, and coastal inundation.
It listed the States under critical flood-risk category to include; Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Benue, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Imo, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Rivers, and Taraba.
The federal government also identified several major cities and commercial centres likely to experience severe flooding, to include; Lagos, Lekki, Ikorodu, Agege, Apapa, Eti-Osa, Ikeja, Surulere, Badagry, and Lagos Island.
It also said that in the South-East, vulnerable communities include; Aba, Umuahia, Arochukwu, Onitsha, Awka, Nnewi, Nkpor, Obosi, Anambra West, Ayamelum, Omor, Nzam, Abakaliki, Afikpo, Enugu metropolis, Nsukka, Owerri, and Orlu.
Similarly, the South-South is also expected to witness significant impacts with flood alerts issued for Yenagoa, Brass, Nembe, Kaiama, Ogbia, Sagbama, Ekeremor, and Kolokuma/Opokuma in Bayelsa; Port Harcourt, Bonny, Okrika, Ahoada, Omoku, Eleme, and Degema in Rivers; Warri, Asaba, Sapele, Ughelli, Bomadi, Burutu, Patani, and Escravos in Delta; and Calabar, Bakassi, Ikom, Ogoja, and Ugep in Cross River.
The statement therefore warned residents in vulnerable communities across Akwa Ibom, Edo, Ondo, Ogun, Osun, Oyo, and Ekiti to brace up for possible urban flooding capable of disrupting transportation, damaging homes and businesses, and destroying farmlands.
In the same vein, in the North-Central geopolitical zone, communities in Lokoja, Ajaokuta, Idah, and Ibaji in Kogi; Makurdi, Agatu, Buruku, Guma, and Logo in Benue; as well as Minna, Mokwa, Shiroro, Suleja, and Bida in Niger State, were listed as areas requiring close monitoring as a result of rising river levels and their proximity to floodplains.
The forecast particularly listed Yola, Mubi, Song, Ganye, Jalingo, Karim Lamido, Takum, and Wukari in Adamawa and Taraba as communities as areas that could witness severe flooding if the current rainfall pattern continues and persists.
The government also said that beyond the critical-risk areas, Adamawa, FCT, Kebbi, Nasarawa, Plateau, and parts of Taraba are under high-risk surveillance, while 531 communities across Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Yobe, and Zamfara were listed as moderate-risk areas.
The federal government therefore urged residents living along riverbanks, floodplains, wetlands, and drainage channels to remain vigilant and heed warnings from emergency management agencies.
It also directed State Emergency Management Agencies, local government councils, and community-based flood response volunteers to intensify monitoring of rivers, bridges, culverts, and erosion-prone areas.
The government specifically advised residents in high-risk locations to activate evacuation plans where necessary just as it called for immediate clearing of blocked drainage channels, continuous monitoring of rainfall and river levels, and prompt reporting of flood incidents.
The statement stated that the forecast should be interpreted alongside local weather conditions and official emergency advisories as the rainy season reaches its peak.
