Flood Alert: FG Flags 919 Critical-Risk Locations Across 20 States, FCT

The federal government has raised a fresh alarm over the risk of flooding across the country, placing 919 locations in 20 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the critical-risk category for possible flooding between September 10 and 23, 2026.

The latest alert, issued by the National Flood Early Warning Systems Centre (FEWSC) of the Federal Ministry of Environment, warned that a combination of rainfall, saturated soil, rapid surface runoff, drainage surcharge and rising river levels could trigger flooding in vulnerable locations during the forecast period.

In addition to the 919 critical-risk locations, the Centre classified 425 locations across seven states as high-risk, while another 656 locations across 13 states and the FCT were placed under moderate-risk watch.

The critical-risk locations are spread across Benue, Kogi, Niger, Rivers, Edo, Delta, Cross River, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo, Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo states.

The latest forecast is particularly significant for the South-South and South-East, where numerous communities and local government areas in Rivers, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo have been identified as critical-risk areas.

In the North-Central, parts of Benue, Kogi and Niger were similarly placed on the critical-risk list, while high-risk locations were identified in Kwara and Niger, as well as parts of Benue and Kogi.

Although no FCT location was listed in the critical-risk category, several parts of the nation’s capital were placed on the moderate-risk watchlist.

The affected areas include Abaji, Abuja Municipal, Asokoro, Bwari, Garki, Gwagwalada, Gwarinpa, Kubwa, Kuje, Kwali, Lugbe, Maitama, Nyanya and Wuse, among others.

The Centre urged residents in critical-risk locations to remain on immediate flood watch and take practical measures to protect lives and property.

It advised communities to verify evacuation routes, identify vulnerable households and secure essential assets ahead of possible flooding.

Residents were also warned against settling, parking vehicles, trading or storing goods on active floodplains, wetlands, riverbanks and low-lying drainage corridors, where sudden inundation could occur.

The government equally directed state emergency management agencies, environmental officers and community flood focal persons to strengthen surveillance around rivers, streams, culverts, bridges, drainage channels, reservoirs, estuaries and erosion-prone areas.

For locations classified as high-risk, the Centre recommended intensified drainage clearance and close monitoring of culverts and waterways.

It also called for prompt reporting of heavy rainfall, water accumulation, dam releases and unusual changes in river levels to relevant authorities.

The Centre further urged residents to comply with evacuation directives, keep children away from floodwater and avoid walking or driving through moving water.

Where flooding is imminent, residents were advised to disconnect electricity and secure essential items, including medicines, vital documents, food and potable water.

The advisory, signed by the Director of the Erosion, Flood and Coastal Zone Management Department, Usman Abdullahi Bokani, stressed that the forecast should be assessed alongside real-time local conditions.

It said local rainfall, drainage conditions, river levels and other field observations, together with information from state authorities and community focal persons, would be used to continuously update the national flood database.