… As NCDC alerts 10 states on flood-linked cholera, disease outbreak risks
BENIN CITY — Edo State has been placed on high flood alert for 2026 alongside 32 other states of the federation, as the Federal Government warned of widespread flooding risks across thousands of communities nationwide.
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Utsev, disclosed that no fewer than 14,118 communities in 266 Local Government Areas across the country have been classified as high-risk flood zones based on scientific forecasts and hydrological assessments.
Utsev made the disclosure in Abuja during the public presentation of the 2026 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, warning that Edo is among states expected to experience significant flooding alongside Abia, Adamawa, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Enugu, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna and Kano.
Others listed in the high-risk category include Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe and Zamfara, as well as the Federal Capital Territory.
He added that beyond high-risk
classification, Edo State also features in the moderate and low flood risk categories, reflecting varying levels of vulnerability across different communities in the state.
According to him, 15,597 communities in 405 LGAs across 35 states fall within the moderate flood risk category, while 923 communities in 77 LGAs across 24 states are classified as low-risk, with Edo appearing in both categories.
Utsev warned that major urban centres across the country may experience flash flooding due to intense rainfall, poor drainage systems and rapid urbanisation, while coastal and riverine states such as Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Lagos, Ogun, Rivers and Ondo are expected to face additional risks from rising sea levels and tidal surges.
He attributed the increasing frequency of flooding to climate variability, unregulated urban expansion, inadequate drainage infrastructure and poor land-use practices, urging state governments to strengthen preparedness and enforcement of planning regulations.
“The Annual Flood Outlook is not just a scientific document; it is a call to action. Early warning saves lives and reduces economic losses,” he said.
Utsev added that the Federal Government is strengthening hydrological monitoring through improved data systems, automated river gauges and advanced modelling techniques, while enhancing collaboration with the Nigerian Meteorological Agency and the National Emergency Management Agency to improve early warning dissemination.
President Bola Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, described flooding as a persistent national challenge, noting that recurring disasters since 2012 have underscored the need for stronger preventive measures.
He said the Federal Government had introduced flood control projects and the Anticipatory Action initiative coordinated by the Office of the Vice-President to improve preparedness, coordination and emergency response.
The president urged states, including Edo, to utilise the 2026 flood outlook in planning mitigation strategies aimed at protecting lives, livelihoods and critical infrastructure.
Also speaking, the Director-General of NIHSA, Umar Mohammed, said the forecast was based on comprehensive data-driven analysis and enhanced with a hybrid artificial intelligence model to improve accuracy and lead time.
He added that the agency’s Flood Dashboard now provides real-time monitoring and dissemination of alerts, urging residents in vulnerable communities to take early warnings seriously and adopt preventive measures.
Stakeholders, including representatives of the World Meteorological Organization, Nigerian Meteorological Agency, National Emergency Management Agency and other partners, called for wider dissemination of the outlook to strengthen preparedness and resilience across affected states.
The warning has heightened concerns in Edo and other listed states, with authorities urged to intensify drainage maintenance, enforce land-use regulations and improve community awareness ahead of the 2026 rainy season.
Also, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has alerted 10 states to a high risk of cholera and other disease outbreaks.
The alert follows forecasts by the Federal Ministry of Environment and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), which indicate that parts of Adamawa, Enugu, Kaduna, Kogi, Niger, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Taraba and Kwara States may experience heavy rainfall and flooding between April 13 and April 17.
Dr Jide Idris, the Director-General of the NCDC, said this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.
Idris reiterated that early action, community vigilance, and prompt care-seeking could prevent outbreaks and save lives, noting that the forecast coincides with the seasonal period when cholera cases typically begin to rise in the country, warning that flooding could worsen disease transmission.
According to him, recent surveillance data already show increasing cholera activity across multiple states, raising concern that flood conditions could accelerate outbreaks.
He explained that flooding increases public health risks by contaminating drinking water sources, disrupting sanitation systems, and exposing communities to unsafe environmental conditions.
He warned that beyond cholera, other risks include malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases, infections from contact with contaminated floodwaters, injuries such as drowning and snakebites, as well as disruption of access to healthcare services.
However, he stressed that the risks remain preventable with early action and community vigilance.
He advised residents in at-risk areas to use only safe water for drinking and cooking, including boiling, chlorination, or bottled water, while also maintaining strict hand hygiene practices.
He further urged the public to avoid contact with floodwaters where possible, ensure proper sanitation and waste disposal, and store food safely to prevent contamination.
“Residents are also advised to sleep under insecticide-treated nets and seek immediate medical attention at the nearest health facility if they experience symptoms such as diarrhoea, vomiting, fever, or general illness,” he said.
He called on community leaders and local authorities to support environmental sanitation, drainage clearance, and the dissemination of accurate public health information to prevent outbreaks.
He added that it is working closely with State Ministries of Health and partners to strengthen surveillance systems and enhance preparedness for rapid response in affected areas.
State governments, he said, were also being supported to activate multisectoral response mechanisms, particularly in water, sanitation, and emergency management sectors.
Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal disease caused by drinking water or eating food contaminated with Vibrio cholerae.
It spreads quickly in areas with unsafe water, poor sanitation, and during flooding, and can cause severe dehydration and death if not treated promptly.
In Nigeria, cholera is endemic and seasonal, with outbreaks occurring almost every year, especially during the rainy and flood seasons.
The disease affects multiple states, often spreading rapidly in communities with limited access to clean water and sanitation.
Its burden is driven by unsafe water sources, poor sanitation infrastructure, flooding, and overcrowding, particularly affecting children, rural communities, and displaced populations.
While preventable and treatable, cholera continues to strain Nigeria’s health system during peak outbreak periods