Nigeria Warns of Widespread Floods in 2026 Across 33 States

Nigeria’s Hydrological Services Agency warns of widespread flooding in 2026

The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NiHSA) has issued a warning about the risk of widespread flooding in 2026, affecting over 14,000 communities across 33 states and Abuja. The agency predicts that peak flooding will occur between July and September during the rainy season.

NiHSA classifies 14,118 communities as high risk and another 15,597 as moderate risk. Major cities like Abuja, Lagos, and Port Harcourt are expected to face severe urban flooding, while coastal areas such as Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers, and Lagos could suffer from river and tidal floods.

Nigeria is known for its flooding during the rainy season, which typically lasts from April to October. In 2022, the worst floods in over a decade claimed more than 600 lives, displaced 1.4 million people, and destroyed 440,000 hectares of farmland. Last year, at least 200 deaths were attributed to flooding alone.