The federal government has placed 2,000 locations across 39 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on flood watch, with 914 communities classified as critical-risk areas between August 15 and 28, 2026.
The fresh alert, issued by the National Flood Early Warning Systems Center (FEWSC) of the Federal Ministry of Environment, warned that heavy rainfall, saturated soil, rapid surface runoff, overwhelmed drainage systems and rising river levels could trigger widespread flooding during the period.
According to the forecast, 914 locations are at critical risk, 430 at high risk and 656 at moderate risk, underscoring the growing danger to lives, homes, farmlands, roads, businesses and critical infrastructure as the rainy season intensifies.
The warning cuts across the North, South and North-Central, indicating that flooding remains a nationwide threat. However, several northern communities face heightened exposure, particularly in states where rivers and waterways could rise rapidly following intense rainfall.
In the North-East, Adamawa and Taraba feature prominently on the high-risk list. Communities identified in Adamawa include Yola, Yola North, Yola South, Demsa, Ganye, Mayo-Belwa, Mubi, Numan, Shelleng, Song and Fufore, while Jalingo, Karim Lamido, Donga, Gassol, Lau, Ardo Kola, Takum, Wukari, Yorro and Lamurde are among locations listed in Taraba.
Kebbi and Niger are also under heightened watch, with Argungu, Baguda, Gulma, Saka, Zaria and Birnin Kebbi identified in Kebbi, while Bida, Minna, Mokwa, New Bussa, Shiroro and Suleja are among vulnerable communities in Niger State.
Other northern states, including Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Yobe, Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, Kano, Kaduna and Jigawa, are on the moderate-risk watchlist, while the FCT also requires vigilance, with Abaji, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, Kwali, Kubwa, Nyanya, Wuse and other locations identified.
In the South, however, the flood threat is equally severe, with Rivers State recording an extensive concentration of critical-risk locations, including Port Harcourt, Okrika, Bonny, Degema, Akuku-Toru, Andoni, Opobo/Nkoro, Ahoada, Obio-Akpor, Eleme, Oyigbo, Emohua, Khana, Ikwerre, Gokana and Etche.
Delta, Edo, Bayelsa, Cross River and Akwa Ibom, as well as parts of the South-East and South-West, are also facing serious exposure, reflecting the vulnerability of riverine, coastal and low-lying communities to rising waterways and intense rainfall.
The government consequently directed communities in the critical category to maintain immediate flood watch, verify evacuation routes, protect vulnerable households and safeguard essential assets, while state authorities and emergency agencies were urged to intensify surveillance around rivers, streams, bridges, culverts, drains and reservoirs.
Residents were warned against settling, trading, parking vehicles or storing goods within floodplains, wetlands, riverbanks and low-lying drainage corridors, while communities in high-risk areas were advised to clear blocked drains, monitor waterways and report rising river levels, waterlogging, heavy rainfall and possible dam releases promptly.
The government further urged residents to obey evacuation orders, keep children away from floodwaters, avoid driving or walking through flowing water and disconnect electricity where flooding is imminent. Essential documents, medicines, food and potable water should also be protected.
The director of the Erosion, Flood and Coastal Zone Management Department, Usman Abdullahi Bokani, said the forecast would continue to be updated with information from state governments, stakeholders and community focal persons. The ministry stressed that the warning should be read alongside real-time rainfall, river-level and drainage conditions, urging Nigerians across the country to remain vigilant throughout the August 15–28 forecast period.
