The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has issued an urgent public health advisory, placing ten states on high alert following forecasts of heavy rainfall and potential flooding.

The agency warned that these environmental conditions significantly elevate the risk of waterborne disease outbreaks, specifically cholera, across the identified regions.

In a statement released on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, the Director-General of the NCDC, Dr. Jide Idris, noted that projections from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Federal Ministry of Environment indicate intense rainfall between April 13 and 17. The states identified as being at the highest risk include Adamawa, Enugu, Kaduna, Kogi, Niger, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Taraba, and Kwara.

The NCDC lead emphasized that this weather forecast coincides with the seasonal window when cholera cases typically begin to surge in Nigeria.

Early surveillance data for 2026 already shows an upward trend in infections across several states. “Flooding can contaminate water sources and disrupt sanitation systems, creating conditions for rapid spread,” Dr. Idris cautioned, noting that the acute diarrheal disease can lead to death within hours if left untreated.

Beyond the immediate threat of cholera, the NCDC warned that residents in flood-prone areas face a “cocktail of health risks.” Stagnant floodwaters serve as breeding grounds for mosquitoes, likely increasing the burden of malaria.

Additionally, the agency highlighted risks of other diarrheal diseases, physical injuries such as drowning, and a higher frequency of snakebites as reptiles are displaced from their natural habitats.

To mitigate the impact of the impending floods, the NCDC has advised residents in the affected states to take proactive measures.

The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, also unveiled the 2026 Annual Flood Outlook this week, revealing that over 14,000 communities nationwide face high flood risks this year. Health authorities are now calling for strengthened state-level emergency responses to prevent a repeat of the large-scale outbreaks seen in previous rainy seasons.