The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency has issued a national flood advisory warning of high flood risk in 17 states between September 28 and October 4, 2026, with the Cross River and Imo River basins identified as the primary drivers.
According to the advisory released on Monday,, nine gauging stations are at risk, with eight states placed on high alert.
The states include Imo, Cross River, Ebonyi, Benue, Anambra, Kogi, Rivers and Enugu, while Edo, Delta, Osun, Ondo, Ogun, Lagos and three other states fall within the medium to low-risk category.
The agency said over 6,800 communities are exposed across the impacted zones, alongside more than 5,800 schools, over 2,000 health facilities, about 1,100 markets and thousands of hectares of farmland.
NIHSA urged residents in floodplains to immediately move people, livestock and valuables to higher ground, warning them not to attempt to cross flooded roads, bridges or fast-moving water.
It also called on states and local authorities to clear drainage channels, pre-position emergency relief supplies and activate local early warning volunteers to mitigate the impact.
“Priority Directives: Evacuate: Move people, livestock, and valuables from floodplains to higher ground immediately.
“Avoid Risks: Do NOT attempt to cross flooded roads, bridges, or fast-moving water.
“Mitigate: Clear drainage channels, pre-position emergency relief supplies, and activate local early-warning volunteers,” the agency directed.
