The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has warned that 19 states across Nigeria could experience flash flooding as heavy early rains intensify, prompting collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on emergency response measures.
According to The Guardian Nigeria, NiMet said dry and hardened soil surfaces may worsen flooding by preventing rainwater from soaking into the ground, increasing surface runoff. States listed in the advisory include Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Delta, Rivers, Bayelsa, Cross River, Ebonyi, Enugu, Anambra, Imo, Ondo, Edo, Ekiti, Akwa Ibom, Kwara, Nasarawa and Zamfara.
The agency warned that the flooding could trigger traffic disruptions, damage homes and farmlands, block drainage systems, and cause power and telecommunications outages. Residents were advised to clear drainages, monitor weather updates and avoid flooded roads.
NiMet’s warning follows a broader Federal Government alert that over 14,000 communities across 33 states and the FCT are at risk of severe flooding in 2026, according to the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NiHSA).