The Federal Government has issued a fresh flood warning, urging residents in hundreds of vulnerable communities across more than 30 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to prepare for possible flooding as heavy rainfall is expected between June 22 and July 5, 2026.
The warning was contained in a Flood Prediction Advisory released by the Federal Ministry of Environment through its National Flood Early Warning Centre under the Erosion, Flood and Coastal Zone Management Department.
The advisory, signed by the Director of the Erosion, Flood and Coastal Zone Management Department, Usman Abdullahi Bokani, called on residents, state governments and emergency management agencies to activate emergency plans to reduce the impact of possible flooding.
According to the ministry, the states expected to be affected are 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 Federal Capital Territory.
The ministry warned that riverine communities, coastal settlements, floodplains, low-lying urban areas and places with poor drainage systems are at greater risk if the heavy rainfall becomes more intense.
Major cities listed as being at risk include 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. It warned that communities such as Yola North, Yola South, Numan, Mubi, Song, Shelleng, Karewa, Jambutu, Ngurore, Ribadu, Yolde Pate and Wuro Hausa could experience severe flooding and urged residents to begin emergency preparedness measures immediately.
In Lagos State, the flood-prone areas listed in the advisory include Agege, Alimosho, Apapa, Badagry, Epe, Eti-Osa, Ikeja, Ikorodu, Kosofe, Lagos Island, Lekki, Ojo and Surulere.
The ministry also advised residents living in riverine and coastal communities in Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers, Cross River and other affected states to remain alert because rising water levels could lead to widespread flooding.
According to the advisory, the expected heavy rainfall may cause rivers to overflow, trigger flash floods, lead to waterlogging and flood communities located along riverbanks, floodplains, estuaries and poorly drained urban areas.
The Federal Government advised communities classified as “Critical” to closely monitor water levels, identify evacuation routes, protect vulnerable residents and avoid living or carrying out business activities in flood-prone areas and drainage channels.
Communities placed under the “High Risk” category were urged to clear blocked drains and culverts, monitor nearby rivers and streams, and strengthen community reporting of heavy rainfall and rising water levels.
The Federal Government also called on state governments, emergency management agencies, local government councils and residents to increase public awareness and take proactive steps to reduce the impact of flooding during the forecast period.
