The Federal Ministry of Environment on Saturday in Abuja announced a prediction of heavy rainfall which could cause flooding between now and October 27 in 19 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The ministry's Deputy Director, Erosion, Flood and Coastal Zone Management, Dr. Morohunkeji Oyeleke, made the announcement in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria.

The ministry identified the states as Kaduna, Kwara, Benue, Borno, Oyo, Niger, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Taraba, Lagos, Osun, Bauchi, Sokoto, Plateau, Adamawa, Gombe, Imo, Ogun and Kebbi.

It also identified in specific terms some areas that could be affected as Sakaba in Kebbi State; Sagamu in Ogun State; Okigwe in Imo State; and Nafada in Gombe State.

Other areas are Kari and Kirfi in Bauchi State, Makira in Sokoto State; Shelleng and Shendam in Plateau State; and Mubi and Numan in Adamawa State.

The ministry also listed Donga, Lau and Mutum-Biyu in Taraba State; Etiosa, Lekki and Surulere in Lagos State; and Igbo-Ora in Osun State.

It further listed Briyel in Bukuru, Plateau State; Otukpo in Benue State; Calabar in Cross River State; Eket, Etinan, Ikot-Nakada, Itu and Oron areas of Akwa Ibom State.

The flood-prone areas include Abaji, Kwali, Bwari, Mabushi, Kukwaba, Guzape, Karu, Kuje, Kurudu and Lugbe in the FCT.

The ministry also said areas which could be affected by the downpour-induced flood included Apata, Bodija, Challenge, Eleyele, Moniya, Aiyete, Eruwa, Iseyin, Kisi and Ogbomoso in Oyo State.

It also listed Bida, Katcha, Kontagora, Mashegu and Sarki Pawa, all in Niger State; Birnin Gwari in Kaduna as well as Jemaa, Kachia in Kaduna State; and Bode Saadu, Ilorin, Kosubosu and Lafiaji in Kwara State.

The ministry appealed to the governments in the identified states to take all necessary precautionary measures to avoid any untold hardship.

It added that adherence to similar warnings in the past had saved many lives and property.