JUST-IN: Federal Gov’t Issues Fresh Nationwide Flood Alert, Says Many Communities ‘At Risk’

The Federal Government has sounded a fresh flood warning across Nigeria, alerting residents of hundreds of vulnerable communities to brace for possible flooding as heavy rainfall is forecast between June 22 and July 5, 2026.

The alert, contained in a Flood Prediction Advisory issued by the Federal Ministry of Environment through its National Flood Early Warning Centre under the Erosion, Flood and Coastal Zone Management Department, identified communities in more than 30 States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as facing varying degrees of flood risk during the period.

The advisory was signed by Usman Abdullahi Bokani, Director of the Erosion, Flood and Coastal Zone Management Department at the Federal Ministry of Environment.

According to the ministry, States expected to be affected include Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Benue, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Imo, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Taraba and the FCT.

The advisory warned that riverine settlements, coastal communities, floodplains, low-lying urban centres and areas with poor drainage infrastructure remained particularly susceptible to flooding if the predicted rainfall intensifies.

Among major urban centres identified as vulnerable were Aba, Umuahia, Uyo, Awka, Onitsha, Yenagoa, Makurdi, Calabar, Asaba, Abakaliki, Benin City, Ado-Ekiti, Enugu, Owerri, Lokoja, Ilorin, Lagos, Minna, Abeokuta, Akure, Osogbo, Ibadan, Port Harcourt, Jos, Jalingo and Abuja.

The ministry placed Adamawa State under a special high-risk category, warning that communities including Yola North, Yola South, Numan, Mubi, Song, Shelleng, Karewa, Jambutu, Ngurore, Ribadu, Yolde Pate and Wuro Hausa could experience severe flooding and should immediately activate emergency preparedness measures.

In Lagos State, the advisory listed flood-prone locations such as Agege, Alimosho, Apapa, Badagry, Epe, Eti-Osa, Ikeja, Ikorodu, Kosofe, Lagos Island, Lekki, Ojo and Surulere among areas requiring close monitoring throughout the forecast period.

The ministry also urged heightened vigilance in riverine and coastal communities across Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers, Cross River and other States where rising water levels could trigger widespread inundation.

It attributed the increased flood threat to projected heavy rainfall capable of causing overflowing rivers, flash floods, waterlogging and the inundation of communities situated along floodplains, riverbanks, estuaries and poorly drained urban corridors.

The advisory directed communities classified as “Critical” to immediately monitor water levels, identify evacuation routes, safeguard vulnerable residents and avoid habitation and commercial activities within floodplains and drainage channels.

Communities categorised as “High Risk” were advised to intensify the clearing of blocked drains and culverts, closely monitor nearby rivers and streams, and strengthen community-based reporting of heavy rainfall and rising water levels to facilitate rapid emergency response.

The Federal Government further called on state governments, emergency management agencies, local government councils and residents in affected communities to activate contingency plans, intensify public awareness campaigns and take proactive steps to minimise the impact of possible flooding.