Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, Ondo among critical-risk states
Zainab Abioye
The Federal Government has issued a fresh flood alert to communities across 27 states and the Federal Capital Territory, warning of possible flooding between September 27 and October 10, 2026.
The warning was contained in the latest flood prediction released by the National Flood Early Warning Systems Centre under the Federal Ministry of Environment.
According to the advisory, a combination of high soil moisture, intense rainfall, rapid surface runoff, drainage surcharge and rising river levels could trigger flooding in several communities during the forecast period.
The Centre categorised the affected communities into Critical Risk, High Risk and Moderate Risk Watchlist, based on their projected exposure to flooding.
States with communities classified under the Critical Risk category include Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Adamawa, Bauchi, Taraba, Rivers, Edo, Delta, Cross River, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo, Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo.
In Ekiti State, areas listed as critical risk include Ado-Ekiti, Ijero, Ikere, Ekiti Southwest, Ekiti East, Ise/Orun and Ekiti West.
The warning also placed several densely populated areas of Lagos State on the critical-risk list.
They include Apapa, Badagry, Epe, Eti-Osa, Ikeja, Ikorodu, Ikoyi, Lagos Island, Lekki, Ojo, Orile Agege, Surulere, Agege, Alimosho and Kosofe.
The Federal Capital Territory was classified as High Risk, with Abuja Municipal, Abaji, Asokoro, Bwari, Garki, Gwarinpa, Gwagwalada, Kuje, Kubwa, Maitama, Nyanya and Wuse among the areas identified.
Other states with communities under the High Risk category include Nasarawa, Plateau, Bauchi, Taraba, Adamawa and Kebbi.
Meanwhile, communities in Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Yobe, Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, Kano, Kaduna and Jigawa were placed on the Moderate Risk Watchlist.
The Centre urged residents in the affected areas to remain vigilant and monitor rainfall, drainage conditions, river levels and other indicators that could signal worsening flood conditions.
For communities classified as Critical Risk, residents were advised to maintain an immediate flood watch, identify and verify evacuation routes and protect vulnerable members of their households and essential property.
The Centre also warned residents against settling, parking vehicles, trading or storing goods within active floodplains, wetlands, riverbanks and low-lying drainage corridors.
It called on authorities and residents in High Risk areas to intensify drainage clearance, monitor culverts and watercourses and promptly report incidents of heavy rainfall, waterlogging, dam releases and rising river levels.
The advisory further urged residents to comply with evacuation directives issued by competent authorities and keep children away from floodwater.
It cautioned motorists and pedestrians against attempting to cross flowing floodwater, noting the dangers posed by rapidly rising and moving water.
Residents were also advised to disconnect electricity supplies where flooding appeared imminent and secure essential items, including medicines, important documents, food and potable water.
