NiMet Issues Flood Warning for 19 Nigerian States

On Thursday, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) warned that 19 states, including Lagos, Delta, and Rivers, may experience flash flooding due to anticipated heavy rainfall. The advisory indicated that the risk of flooding is heightened as dry, hardened soil will prevent proper water absorption, leading to increased surface runoff.

The states identified as being at risk include Zamfara, Nasarawa, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun, Ekiti, Delta, Imo, Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo, Ondo, and Bayelsa. NiMet foresees possible disruptions to road traffic, damage to homes and farmland, and impacts on critical infrastructure, including blocked drainage systems and power outages.

The agency has advised motorists and pedestrians to avoid driving or walking in flood-prone areas. Additionally, the federal government has recently alerted 14,118 communities across 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) about the risk of severe flooding in 2026.