FULL LIST: 19 States on Flood Watch As FG Issues Fresh Warning

The Federal Government has issued a warning regarding potential flooding in 915 communities across 19 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) between August 27 and September 9, 2026. Residents in the identified areas are urged to prepare for possible emergencies and consider evacuation if necessary.

This alert was communicated by the National Flood Early Warning Systems Centre, which categorized these 915 communities as being at critical risk.

Also, the centre has identified 429 communities in seven states as being at high risk for flooding, while 656 communities across 13 states are under moderate flood-risk watch.

The states identified under the critical-risk category include Kogi, Benue, Rivers, Edo, Delta, Cross River, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo, Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, and Oyo. Residents in these areas should take necessary precautions in anticipation of possible flooding events.

Some of the major cities and communities that could be affected include Lokoja, Makurdi, Port Harcourt, Benin City, Asaba, Calabar, Yenagoa, Uyo, Aba, Onitsha, Enugu, Owerri, Lagos, Abeokuta, Akure, Osogbo and Ibadan.

The government said the expected flood threat was linked to several factors, including high levels of moisture in the soil, continued rainfall, fast surface runoff, pressure on drainage systems and rising water levels in rivers.

In the advisory issued by the Director of the Erosion, Flood and Coastal Zone Management Department, Usman Abdullahi Bokani, residents in communities facing critical risks were asked to begin preparations immediately and confirm the safest routes to use if evacuation becomes necessary.