The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has warned that 19 states across the country may experience flash flooding.
 
In an advisory issued yesterday, NiMet said increased surface runoff and flash flooding could occur during heavy early rains due to dry and hardened soils that prevent water from properly soaking into the ground.
 
The agency listed the states likely to be affected as Zamfara, Nasarawa, Kwara, Oyo, Lagos, Ogun, Ekiti, Delta, Imo, Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Rivers, Edo, Ondo, and Bayelsa.
 
NiMet said the possible impacts include flooded roads, traffic disruption, damage to homes, farmlands, and infrastructure, blocked drainage systems, power outages, telecommunication disruptions, and increased risks of injuries and water-borne diseases.
 
The agency advised residents to clear blocked drainage and stay updated with weather and flood alerts.
 
NiMet also cautioned motorists and pedestrians against driving or walking through flooded areas.
 
The agency asked relevant authorities and stakeholders to strengthen coordination, preparedness, and emergency response measures to reduce flood-related risks.
 
“An informed community is a prepared community. Know the risks and act early,” the advisory read.
 
The Federal Government had warned that 14,118 communities in 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are at risk of severe flooding in 2026.
 
The states include Abia, Adamawa, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Enugu, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, and Kano.
 
Others are Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, and Zamfara, and the FCT.
 
Meanwhile, Nimet and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) have intensified efforts to improve disaster management in the country with plans to develop a national early warning system roadmap.
 
The move was announced yesterday during a courtesy visit by the Director General of NEMA, Zubaida Umar, to the Director General of NiMet, Charles Anosike, at the NiMet headquarters in Abuja.
 
Mrs Umar applauded NiMet for the timely release of the 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction and its consistent weather forecasts, noting that the agency had recorded significant improvements under Prof. Anosike’s leadership.