NiHSA WARNS OF 7-DAY FLOOD RISK IN 15 STATES, URGES RESIDENTS TO RELOCATE
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By ‘Sefiu Ajape
The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency has warned of a high risk of riverine flooding across 15 states between September 19 and 25, 2026, urging residents in vulnerable communities to relocate to safer and higher ground.
The warning was contained in the agency’s National Flood Advisory issued on Saturday by its Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Arch Umar Mohammed.
Mohammed said rising river levels were expected to trigger flooding in several communities, potentially affecting schools, healthcare facilities, markets, farms, and religious buildings.
He urged affected state governments to urgently relocate residents living in vulnerable communities to safer locations ahead of the forecast.
He said, “High riverine flood risk is forecast for the next seven days across Imo, Cross River, and 13 other states. Rising river stages are expected to cause flooding. Communities on the floodplain should prepare to move to higher ground. Stations include Obubra, Itigidi and Epento on the Cross River.”
In Imo State, NiHSA listed Aboh-Mbaise, Ahiazu-Mbaise, Ehime Mbano, Ezinihitte, Ideato North, Ihitte/Uboma, and Ikeduru Local Government Areas as being at risk.
The agency said 958 communities, 1,022 schools, 553 healthcare facilities, 161 markets, and 198 religious buildings were exposed to the risk in the state.
In Cross River State, the affected LGAs are Abi, Akamkpa, Akpabuyo, Biase, Calabar, Calabar South, Ikom, and Obubra.
NiHSA identified 2,471 communities, 703 schools, 344 healthcare facilities, 145 markets, 453 religious buildings, and 854 hectares of farmland as exposed to the flood risk.
In Ebonyi State, Abakaliki, Afikpo, Afikpo South, Ebonyi, Ezza North, and Ezza South LGAs were identified as vulnerable.
The agency said 2,574 communities, 1,064 schools, 422 healthcare facilities, 480 markets, 629 religious buildings, and 1,882 hectares of farmland were exposed to the risk.
In Benue State, the affected LGAs are Buruku, Gboko, Guma, Katsina-Ala, Logo, and Ukum, with 303 communities, 100 schools, 48 healthcare facilities, 32 markets, 151 religious buildings, and 55 hectares of farmland exposed.
NiHSA also identified Aguata, Anambra East, Anambra West, Anaocha, Awka North, Awka South, and Ayamelum Local Government Areas in Anambra State as vulnerable.
It listed 1,314 communities, 1,308 schools, 1,089 healthcare facilities, 280 markets, 610 religious buildings, and 1,529 hectares of farmland as exposed.
In Akwa Ibom State, Abak, Eket, Etinan, Ibeno, Ibesikpo Asutan, Ibiono Ibom, Ika, and Ikono LGAs were listed among the affected areas.
The agency identified 249 communities, 323 schools, 211 healthcare facilities, 74 markets, and 289 religious buildings as exposed in the state.
Other states listed by NiHSA as facing severe flood risks during the forecast period are Edo, Bayelsa, Enugu, Kogi, Delta, Abia, Taraba, Rivers, and Lagos.
The agency advised residents in flood-prone areas, particularly communities located on floodplains, to take precautionary measures and move to higher ground where necessary.
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