​The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has issued an emergency weather advisory warning of impending high-risk flash floods across 13 states from August 11 to August 20, 2026.
The weather alert was officially released on Tuesday morning, August 11, 2026, via NiMet’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle and public dissemination channels from its national headquarters at Bill Clinton Drive, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
​According to the 10-day flood forecast issued by the agency’s Central Forecast Office, heavy rainfall events expected during the second dekad of August are likely to trigger sudden surface runoffs and localized flash flooding.
​The 13 states listed under high risk are: Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, Kaduna (North-West), Niger, Nasarawa, Plateau, Benue, Kogi (North-Central), Adamawa, Taraba (North-East) and Cross River, Akwa Ibom (South-South).
​Reiterating the critical nature of the advisory, NiMet’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mrs. Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, urged state government emergency operations centers, civil defense forces, and local authorities to activate immediate disaster response protocols.
​”The agency advises residents in vulnerable areas, especially those living along floodplains, low-lying drainage channels, and riverbanks to take proactive safety precautions to safeguard lives and property,” stated Mrs. Oladeji in a briefing following the online advisory.
​NiMet Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Prof. Charles Anosike, alongside the Director of Weather Forecasting Services, Prof. Vincent Weli, emphasized that early warning compliance is essential to minimizing urban inundation, agricultural losses, and potential loss of life during heavy rainfall spikes.
​NiMet and national emergency response teams, advise residents in affected states to take the following steps, such as Clearing Drainages; Ensure local gutters, culverts, and water channels are free of debris to allow free flow of stormwater.
Avoid Floodwaters by refraining from driving or walking through fast-moving floodwaters or submerged bridges. Communities residing on active floodplains should temporarily move to higher ground or designated emergency shelters.
NiMet have also advise residents to Stay Informed and follow local bulletin updates from the State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMA) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
