The federal government has again sounded the alarm over possible flooding in many parts of the country, warning that 1,402 communities spread across 28 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) face varying degrees of flood risk between July 5 and July 18, 2026.
The warning, contained in the latest Flood Prediction Advisory issued by the Federal Ministry of Environment through its National Flood Early Warning Systems Centre, indicates that persistent and heavy rainfall expected during the period could trigger flooding capable of disrupting lives, damaging property and affecting critical infrastructure.
According to the advisory, 987 communities in 21 states have been classified as locations facing severe flood danger, while another 415 communities in seven states and the FCT have been placed on a high-risk watch list requiring continuous monitoring.
The ministry explained that the forecast was generated from hydrometeorological observations, rainfall projections, flood-risk indicators and community vulnerability assessments, which collectively point to an elevated likelihood of flooding in several parts of the country.
States identified under the critical flood category include Abia, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Benue, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Imo, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo and Rivers.
Among the major urban centres expected to experience heightened flood risk are Lagos, Port Harcourt, Benin City, Calabar, Warri, Aba, Umuahia, Owerri, Enugu, Makurdi, Lokoja, Asaba, Uyo, Yenagoa, Akure, Abeokuta, Ibadan, Osogbo, Awka and Onitsha.
The advisory also listed Adamawa, the Federal Capital Territory, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Niger and Taraba among areas where hundreds of communities could experience significant flooding should rainfall become more intense during the forecast window.
The document, signed by the director, Erosion, Flood and Coastal Zone Management Department, Usman Abdullahi Bokani, urged residents living in vulnerable communities to take immediate precautionary measures to minimise the impact of possible flooding.
It advised residents to identify safe evacuation points, relocate vulnerable persons where necessary, stay away from floodplains, riverbanks and low-lying areas, and remain alert throughout the period covered by the forecast.
The ministry also directed State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs), local government councils, environmental officers and community flood focal persons to strengthen surveillance around rivers, drainage systems, bridges, culverts, estuaries and erosion-prone areas to ensure prompt detection and response to flood incidents.
Communities placed under the high-risk category were encouraged to clear blocked drainage channels, closely monitor streams and waterways, promptly report unusual increases in water levels and maintain regular communication with the National Flood Early Warning Systems Centre.
The federal government further appealed to state governments and other relevant stakeholders to submit timely field reports and flood-related information to support continuous monitoring and improve the accuracy of future flood forecasts.
The latest advisory adds to a series of flood warnings issued by federal authorities since the onset of the rainy season, reinforcing concerns that many flood-prone communities could face another challenging season unless adequate preventive measures are implemented.
