The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has urged residents of flood-prone communities across Nigeria to relocate to safer, higher locations as the country enters the peak of the 2026 rainy season, warning that failure to heed early warnings could result in loss of lives and property.
The agency issued the advisory amid forecasts by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), which have predicted an increased risk of flooding in several parts of the country during the current rainy season.
NEMA advised residents, particularly those living in low-lying and flood-prone areas, to take proactive measures by relocating to safer locations before floodwaters rise.
The agency stressed that early evacuation remains one of the most effective ways to reduce casualties during flooding, noting that many flood-related deaths occur when people ignore official warnings or delay leaving vulnerable communities.
In addition to relocating, NEMA urged Nigerians to clear drainage channels, avoid dumping refuse in waterways, switch off electricity before evacuating flooded buildings, and refrain from driving or walking through flooded roads, where the depth and current of the water may be difficult to determine.
The agency also called on state governments, local authorities and emergency response organisations to intensify public awareness campaigns and strengthen preparedness efforts in communities identified as being at high risk of flooding.
According to NEMA Director-General Zubaida Umar, the agency has been working with relevant stakeholders, including the Nigerian Army, to enhance flood preparedness and emergency response nationwide in anticipation of the heightened flood threat. She said effective collaboration would be crucial in carrying out evacuations, search-and-rescue operations and humanitarian assistance where necessary.
The Federal Government has in recent months stepped up efforts to improve disaster preparedness through the activation of early warning and anticipatory response mechanisms. In June, Vice President Kashim Shettima directed the immediate activation of NEMA’s Early Action Platform to coordinate proactive responses to flood emergencies before they escalate.
NiMet has identified at least 27 states as facing an elevated risk of flash flooding during the peak rainy season due to sustained rainfall, saturated soil conditions and poor drainage in many urban centres. The agency warned that low-lying communities, coastal areas and locations near major rivers remain particularly vulnerable.
Nigeria experiences seasonal flooding almost every year, with the disasters often resulting in deaths, displacement of residents, destruction of homes, damage to infrastructure and significant losses to agricultural production. Emergency authorities have repeatedly urged citizens to take official flood warnings seriously and cooperate with evacuation directives to minimise the impact of the annual floods.
