The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has alerted that 18 states across the country may experience flash flooding in the coming days due to expected heavy early rains.
In an advisory issued on Thursday, NiMet explained that the flooding risk is heightened because dry and hardened soils may prevent water from properly absorbing into the ground, leading to increased surface runoff.
The states likely to be affected are Zamfara, Nasarawa, Kwara, Oyo, Lagos, Ogun, Ekiti, Delta, Imo, Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Rivers, Edo, Ondo, and Bayelsa.
According to NiMet, possible impacts of the flash floods include flooded roads, traffic disruptions, damage to homes, farmlands and critical infrastructure, blocked drainage systems, power outages, telecommunication disruptions, as well as increased risks of injuries and water-borne diseases.
The agency advised residents to take proactive measures by clearing blocked drainages around their homes and staying updated with official weather and flood alerts.
The agency also cautioned motorists and pedestrians to avoid driving or walking through flooded areas.
It further called on relevant authorities and stakeholders to strengthen coordination, preparedness, and emergency response mechanisms to mitigate flood-related risks.
This warning comes after the Federal Government recently alerted that 14,118 communities across 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are at risk of severe flooding in 2026.
