Flood Threat Puts 6.5 Million Nigerians at Risk, Red Cross Warns

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has warned that about 6.5 million Nigerians could be affected by flooding as the country enters the peak of the 2026 rainy season.

According to the humanitarian organisation, at least 151 communities, 49 schools, 46 health facilities, 11 markets, and 38 places of worship are at risk of flooding, particularly in vulnerable riverine and coastal areas.

The warning is based on forecasts from the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), and the IFRC's regional risk analysis, which classified Nigeria as a high-risk country for severe flooding this year.

To support preparedness efforts, the IFRC has approved 80,000 Swiss francs (about ₦181 million) from its Disaster Response Emergency Fund to assist the Nigerian Red Cross Society in strengthening early warning systems, evacuation planning, and community awareness across eight states.

The report also revealed that Nigeria's 2026 Annual Flood Outlook projects that more than 250,000 square kilometres of land could be flooded, with over half of the affected areas classified as high-risk. More than 14,000 communities in 266 Local Government Areas across 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory are expected to face severe flood threats.

Several states, including Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Edo, Enugu, Imo, Kaduna, Niger, and Plateau, have already been placed on flood alert due to rising river levels.

Although millions are at risk, available emergency funding will allow direct assistance to only about 16,000 people in selected high-risk local government areas. Other communities will receive support through early warning campaigns, public awareness programmes, and sanitation activities.

The emergency response operation will run from August 1 to September 30, focusing on reducing flood-related deaths, preventing outbreaks of waterborne diseases, protecting livelihoods, and improving community response through trained Red Cross volunteers.

The IFRC urged residents in flood-prone areas to pay close attention to official weather and flood warnings, follow evacuation instructions where necessary, and take precautionary measures to protect lives and property.

• Tweet
• Share
• Share
• Share
• Share