Avoid Flooded Roads, Clear Drainages, NiMet Advises 20 States, FCT

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has advised residents in 20 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to avoid flooded roads and clear drainages as parts of the country face probable flash flood risk in the first ten days of October 2026, from October 1 to 10.

The advisory identifies areas that may be susceptible to flash flooding as the rainy season progresses, noting that parts of southern Nigeria, particularly coastal areas, may remain vulnerable due to persistent rainfall, saturated soils, increased surface runoff, low-lying terrain and proximity to rivers and other waterways.

According to the outlook, eight states have moderate potential risk of flash flooding. They are Taraba, Benue, Ondo, Edo, Delta, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Bayelsa. Fourteen others have low potential risk. They are Adamawa, Nasarawa, Kogi, Ekiti, Osun, Lagos, Enugu, Anambra, Ebonyi, Imo, Abia and the FCT.

NiMet said the outlook serves as an early-warning and decision-support tool to help communities, farmers, motorists, emergency managers and relevant authorities take timely precautions and reduce potential impacts.

The agency listed possible impacts to include traffic congestion, road closures and transport disruptions, reduced visibility during heavy rainfall affecting motorists and aviation operations, temporary interruptions to electricity and telecommunications services, localized flash flooding in flood-prone, low-lying, urban, coastal and riverside communities, waterlogging of farmlands with possible damage to crops and livestock, increased risk of waterborne diseases due to stagnant floodwaters, and damage to roads, bridges, drainage systems and other critical infrastructure.

In its safety advisory, NiMet urged residents and stakeholders in the identified areas to remain alert to weather updates, plan ahead and act promptly when warnings are issued.

It advised the public to follow forecasts and flood advisories issued by NiMet and relevant emergency agencies, avoid walking or driving through flooded roads, bridges or fast-flowing water, and keep drains, culverts and waterways clear to allow free flow of water.

It said residents in floodplains, riverbanks, low-lying and poorly drained areas should remain alert and move to safer locations when necessary.

The agency also called on emergency management agencies to heighten surveillance, pre-position response teams and maintain emergency preparedness, while farmers should improve farm drainage and move livestock, machinery and harvested produce away from flood-prone areas.

It urged authorities to prioritize identified risk zones for impact-based monitoring, public sensitization and rapid dissemination of warnings, adding that preparedness should be maintained even in areas with lower flood probability as flash flooding can develop rapidly during intense rainfall.

“Farmers should improve farm drainage and move livestock, machinery, and harvested produce away from flood-prone areas.

“Authorities should prioritise identified risk zones for impact-based monitoring, public sensitisation, and rapid dissemination of warnings.

“Preparedness should be maintained even in areas with lower flood probability, as flash flooding can develop rapidly during intense rainfall,” the advisory said.