The Federal Government has warned residents in 19 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to prepare for possible flooding between August 27 and September 9, 2026.
According to the government, 915 communities have been classified as being at critical risk of flooding during the period, with residents advised to take precautionary measures and prepare for possible evacuation.
The warning was issued through the National Flood Early Warning Systems Centre, which identified the affected communities based on current flood-risk assessments.
The centre also placed 429 communities across seven states under high flood risk, while 656 communities in 13 states were listed under moderate flood-risk watch.
The 19 states identified under the critical-risk category 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 that could be affected include Lokoja, Makurdi, Port Harcourt, Benin City, Asaba, Calabar, Yenagoa, Uyo, Aba, Onitsha, Enugu, Owerri, Lagos, Abeokuta, Akure, Osogbo and Ibadan.
The government attributed the heightened flood risk to factors including saturated soil, persistent rainfall, rapid surface runoff, pressure on drainage infrastructure and rising river levels.
In the advisory signed by the Director of the Erosion, Flood and Coastal Zone Management Department, Usman Abdullahi Bokani, residents in critically affected communities were urged to begin preparations immediately.
They were also advised to identify and confirm safe evacuation routes in case emergency evacuation becomes necessary.
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