NiMet issues flood alert for Lagos, seven coastal states

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has issued a high-alert warning for residents of Lagos and other coastal states to brace for intense rainfall and a high risk of flash flooding through the rest of Tuesday.

The urgent advisory is part of the agency’s daily weather outlook for Tuesday, June 30, 2026.

Having already experienced morning thunderstorms and light showers, NiMet forecasts that the weather pattern across the southern region will deteriorate significantly as the afternoon and evening progress.

According to the agency, widespread moderate to heavy rainfall is expected to envelop the entire southern region for the remainder of the day.

NiMet placed a strong emphasis on a “high likelihood of flash flooding in coastal areas,” specifically identifying Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom States as critical flashpoints.

“Wet weather conditions are expected throughout the day. Continuous rainfall may result in flash flooding in coastal and low-lying communities,” the agency warned.

Given that the intense weather coincides with afternoon commutes, NiMet issued a strict safety advisory urging the public to drive with extreme caution, noting that strong winds preceding the storms could drastically reduce visibility.

The agency warned citizens to completely avoid driving or walking through fast-moving floodwaters, which can be deceptively deep and dangerous.

Additionally, residents were advised against sheltering under tall trees during the thunderstorms to mitigate the risk of lightning strikes.

While the coastal south faces severe flood risks, NiMet similarly forecast that afternoon and evening conditions across the central and northern states—including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Kano, Kaduna, and Nasarawa—will be dominated by increasing cloudiness, widespread thunderstorms, and moderate rainfall.

The agency also directed airline operators nationwide to obtain airport-specific weather reports strictly to ensure safe and efficient flight operations amidst the turbulent afternoon weather.