The Federal Government has placed 28 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on high flood alert, warning that heavy rainfall expected over the next two weeks could trigger widespread flooding across hundreds of communities nationwide.
The warning, issued by the Federal Ministry of Environment through the National Flood Early Warning Systems Centre, covers the period from July 19 to August 1, 2026.
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According to the ministry, persistent rainfall, saturated soils, rising river levels and overstretched drainage systems are expected to significantly increase the risk of flooding, particularly in densely populated urban centres, coastal communities and riverine settlements.
Full List of States on FG’s High Flood Alert
- Abia
- Adamawa
- Akwa Ibom
- Anambra
- Bayelsa
- Benue
- Cross River
- Delta
- Ebonyi
- Edo
- Ekiti
- Enugu
- Imo
- Kogi
- Kwara
- Lagos
- Niger
- Ogun
- Ondo
- Osun
- Oyo
- Rivers
- Taraba
- Federal Capital Territory (FCT)
The ministry also placed Kebbi, Nasarawa and Plateau under high-risk surveillance, while 531 communities across Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Yobe and Zamfara were classified as moderate-risk areas.
Major Cities Expected to Be Affected
Some of the cities and communities identified as vulnerable include:
- Lagos, Lekki, Ikorodu, Agege, Apapa, Ikeja, Eti Osa, Surulere, Badagry and Lagos Island
- Port Harcourt, Bonny, Okrika, Eleme and Degema
- Warri, Asaba, Sapele and Ughelli
- Yenagoa, Brass and Nembe
- Aba, Umuahia, Onitsha, Awka, Nnewi and Owerri
- Enugu metropolis and Abakaliki
- Lokoja, Ajaokuta and Idah
- Makurdi and Agatu
- Minna, Mokwa and Suleja
- Yola, Mubi and Jalingo
- Calabar and Bakassi
States at Highest Risk
The ministry listed Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Benue, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Imo, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Rivers and Taraba among the states facing critical flood threats.
Lagos, Port Harcourt, Onitsha, Aba Among Cities at Risk
Major cities expected to experience severe flooding include Lagos, Lekki, Ikorodu, Agege, Apapa, Eti Osa, Ikeja, Surulere, Badagry and Lagos Island.
In the South East, the ministry identified Aba, Umuahia, Arochukwu, Onitsha, Awka, Nnewi, Nkpor, Obosi, Abakaliki, Afikpo, Enugu metropolis, Nsukka, Owerri and Orlu as vulnerable communities.
The South South is also expected to witness significant flooding, with alerts issued for Yenagoa, Brass, Nembe, Ogbia, Sagbama, Port Harcourt, Bonny, Okrika, Warri, Asaba, Sapele, Ughelli, Calabar and Bakassi, among others.
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Residents in vulnerable communities across Akwa Ibom, Edo, Ondo, Ogun, Osun, Oyo and Ekiti were also warned to prepare for urban flooding capable of disrupting transportation, damaging homes and businesses and destroying farmlands.
North Central, North East Also Threatened
The ministry warned that communities in Lokoja, Ajaokuta, Idah and Ibaji in Kogi State, Makurdi, Agatu, Buruku, Guma and Logo in Benue, as well as Minna, Mokwa, Shiroro, Suleja and Bida in Niger State remain at high risk because of rising river levels and their proximity to floodplains.
In the North East, Yola, Mubi, Song, Ganye, Jalingo, Karim Lamido, Takum and Wukari were identified as communities that could experience severe flooding if the current rainfall pattern persists.
531 Communities Under Moderate Flood Watch
Beyond the critical-risk states, the Federal Government also placed Adamawa, the FCT, Kebbi, Nasarawa, Plateau and parts of Taraba under high-risk surveillance.
In addition, 531 communities across Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Yobe and Zamfara were classified as moderate-risk locations.
The ministry attributed the heightened flood risk to prolonged rainfall, high soil moisture, rapid surface runoff, rising river levels and drainage systems operating beyond capacity.
It advised residents living along riverbanks, floodplains, wetlands and drainage channels to remain vigilant and comply with warnings from emergency management agencies.
State Emergency Management Agencies, local governments and community flood response teams were directed to intensify monitoring of rivers, bridges, culverts and erosion-prone areas, while residents in vulnerable locations were urged to activate evacuation plans where necessary.
The ministry also called for the immediate clearing of blocked drainage channels, continuous monitoring of rainfall and river levels and prompt reporting of flood incidents as the rainy season enters its peak.
