The Federal Government has warned residents of 915 communities across 19 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) of critical flood risks between August 27 and September 9, 2026.
Key Highlights:
- FG warns 915 communities in 19 states and FCT of critical flood risks.
- Residents are urged to prepare for possible evacuation.
- Heavy rainfall and rising river levels are increasing flood risks.
- People should avoid floodplains, waterways and driving through floodwater.
- Authorities are advised to monitor vulnerable areas and intensify emergency preparedness.
The government urged residents in the affected communities to take immediate precautionary measures and prepare for possible evacuation as rainfall and rising river levels increase the risk of flooding.
The National Flood Early Warning Systems Centre classified the 915 communities as being at critical flood risk, requiring immediate monitoring, preparedness and protective action.
The affected states are Kogi, Benue, Rivers, Edo, Delta, Cross River, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo, Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo.
Major cities and communities identified as being at critical risk include Lokoja, Makurdi, Port Harcourt, Benin City, Asaba, Calabar, Yenagoa, Uyo, Aba, Onitsha, Enugu, Owerri, Lagos, Abeokuta, Akure, Osogbo and Ibadan.
The government also classified 429 communities across seven states as being at high risk, while another 656 communities in 13 states were placed on moderate-risk watch.
The forecast was contained in an advisory signed by Usman Abdullahi Bokani, Director of the Erosion, Flood and Coastal Zone Management Department.
The government attributed the heightened flood risk to high soil moisture, persistent rainfall, rapid surface runoff, drainage surcharge and rising river levels.
It advised residents in critical-risk areas to maintain an immediate flood watch and verify evacuation routes in case of worsening conditions.
Residents were also warned against settling, parking vehicles, trading or storing goods within floodplains, wetlands, riverbanks and low-lying drainage corridors.
The government urged residents to protect vulnerable members of their households and essential property while complying with evacuation directives issued by relevant authorities.
It also directed state emergency management agencies, environmental officers and community flood focal persons to intensify surveillance around rivers, streams, culverts, bridges, drainage channels, estuaries, reservoirs and erosion-prone areas.
Communities classified as high-risk in Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Adamawa, Taraba and Kebbi states were specifically advised to intensify drainage clearance and monitor culverts and watercourses.
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Meanwhile, the FCT and communities in Nasarawa, Plateau, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Yobe, Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, Kano and Kaduna states were placed on the moderate-risk watchlist.
The government warned that prolonged or consecutive rainfall could quickly push communities currently classified as moderate-risk into more dangerous flood conditions.
It urged residents to keep children away from floodwater and avoid walking or driving through flowing water.
Residents were further advised to disconnect electricity supplies where flooding was imminent and protect medicines, important documents, food and potable water from damage.
The government said the forecast should be assessed alongside real-time local observations, drainage conditions, river levels and emergency directives from relevant authorities.
It added that feedback from state governments, stakeholders and community flood focal persons would be used to validate field conditions and continuously update the national flood-risk database.
