The Federal Government has warned that more than 8,000 communities and about 4,500 schools across 15 states could be affected by flooding between September 19 and 25, 2026.

The warning is contained in the latest National Flood Advisory issued by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NiHSA), which cautioned that rising river levels could cause flooding in several vulnerable areas.

According to the advisory, communities, schools, healthcare centres, markets, religious facilities and farmlands in the affected areas face varying levels of exposure to flooding during the seven-day period.

The 15 states identified as being at high risk are Imo, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Benue, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Edo, Enugu, Bayelsa, Kogi, Abia, Taraba, Rivers and Lagos.

NiHSA Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Arch Umar Mohammed, urged state authorities in the affected areas to take early action and relocate residents living in particularly vulnerable communities to safer locations.

He also advised people living on floodplains and in areas close to rivers to prepare for possible evacuation and move to higher ground when necessary.

The agency highlighted several communities and local government areas where flooding could pose a significant threat. In Imo, vulnerable areas include Aboh-Mbaise, Ahiazu-Mbaise, Ehime Mbano, Ezinihitte, Ideato North, Ihitte/Uboma and Ikeduru.

In Cross River, the areas listed include Abi, Akamkpa, Akpabuyo, Biase, Calabar, Calabar South, Ikom and Obubra. Ebonyi also has several vulnerable local government areas, including Abakaliki, Afikpo, Afikpo South, Ebonyi, Ezza North and Ezza South.

The advisory further identified vulnerable areas in Benue, Anambra and Akwa Ibom, with thousands of communities and public facilities potentially exposed to the effects of flooding.

In Anambra alone, NiHSA listed 1,314 communities and 1,308 schools among the areas exposed, while Ebonyi was reported to have 2,574 communities and 1,064 schools at risk. Cross River was also listed with 2,471 exposed communities and 703 schools.

The agency called on residents, state governments and relevant emergency authorities to remain vigilant throughout the forecast period and take preventive measures before flooding occurs.

NiHSA stressed the importance of early evacuation, particularly for people living in flood-prone communities, as rising water levels could quickly worsen conditions in vulnerable locations.

The latest warning comes after the Federal Government earlier identified thousands of communities across Nigeria as being exposed to varying degrees of flood risk in its 2026 Annual Flood Outlook.

Authorities are therefore urging residents in the affected states to monitor official weather and flood alerts and take necessary precautions to protect lives and property.