The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has alerted Nigerians to the heightened risk of flash floods in several parts of the country, urging residents of flood-prone communities to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to protect lives and property.
The alert follows forecasts by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), which predicted heavy rainfall across parts of the country between July 1 and July 10, 2026.
According to the advisory, the states likely to be affected include Taraba, Sokoto, Borno, Zamfara, Kebbi, Katsina, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Plateau, Adamawa, Kwara, Kogi, Oyo, Ogun, Lagos, Osun, Ekiti, Delta, Edo, Abia, Imo, Anambra, Enugu, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Rivers and Bayelsa.
In a public advisory issued on Tuesday, NOA urged residents to avoid walking, driving or riding through flooded roads and fast-flowing water, warning that the depth and strength of floodwaters can be deceptive and life-threatening.
The agency also advised communities to clear drainage channels around homes, schools, markets and business premises to ensure the free flow of rainwater, while residents in flood-prone areas were encouraged to prepare for temporary relocation to safer locations if flooding becomes imminent.
It further advised residents to move important documents, household items and electrical appliances to higher ground where there is a risk of flooding, while parents and guardians were urged to prevent children from playing in floodwaters, drainage channels or swollen rivers.
NOA also called on residents to disconnect electrical appliances and switch off power supplies where flooding threatens in order to prevent electrocution.
The agency encouraged Nigerians to stay informed by following official weather forecasts and advisories issued by NiMet, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs) and other relevant government institutions.
It also appealed to members of the public to promptly report flooding incidents and blocked drainage channels to the appropriate emergency authorities.
In addition, NOA directed its state directors and Community Orientation and Mobilisation Officers (COMOs) to intensify public sensitisation campaigns, particularly in flood-prone communities, to ensure residents are adequately informed about the risks and the necessary preventive measures.
Reaffirming its commitment to public safety, the agency urged Nigerians to remain calm, vigilant and safety-conscious throughout the period, stressing that early preventive action could significantly reduce the loss of lives and damage to property.
“Stay Alert, Stay Safe. Together, We Can Reduce the Impact of Flooding,” the advisory stated.