State governments in 15 vulnerable states have been urged to immediately relocate residents in flood-prone communities to safer ground following a severe flood warning issued by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NiHSA).
The advisory, released on Saturday by the agency’s Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Arch Umar Mohammed, warned that high riverine flood risk is expected between September 19 and 25. He stated, “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.”
More than 8,000 communities and 4,500 schools face potential inundation as rising river levels threaten critical infrastructure across the country. Alongside educational institutions, thousands of healthcare facilities, markets, places of worship, and farmlands are currently exposed to the impending surge.
Cross River State faces widespread vulnerability across eight local government areas, including 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 at risk within the state.
Similarly, Ebonyi State has several areas exposed, with Abakaliki, Afikpo, Afikpo South, Ebonyi, Ezza North, and Ezza South local government areas identified as vulnerable. The agency listed 2,574 communities, 1,064 schools, 422 healthcare facilities, 480 markets, 629 religious buildings, and 1,882 hectares of farmland as exposed.
In Anambra State, local government areas including Aguata, Anambra East, Anambra West, Anaocha, Awka North, Awka South, and Ayamelum are under threat. Data from the agency highlights 1,314 communities, 1,308 schools, 1,089 healthcare facilities, 280 markets, 610 religious places of worship, and 1,529 hectares of farmland at risk.
Seven local government areas in Imo State—Aboh-Mbaise, Ahiazu-Mbaise, Ehime Mbano, Ezinihitte, Ideato North, Ihitte/Uboma, and Ikeduru—are also on high alert. The agency reported that 958 communities, 1,022 schools, 553 healthcare facilities, 161 markets, and 198 religious buildings face potential exposure to the rising waters.
In Akwa Ibom State, affected areas include Abak, Eket, Etinan, Ibeno, Ibesikpo Asutan, Ibiono Ibom, Ika, and Ikono local government areas. Here, the flood advisory accounts for 249 communities, 323 schools, 211 healthcare facilities, 74 markets, and 289 religious structures.
Benue State also features on the advisory list, with Buruku, Gboko, Guma, Katsina-Ala, Logo, and Ukum local government areas affected. The risk assessment covers 303 communities, 100 schools, 48 healthcare facilities, 32 markets, 151 religious buildings, and 55 hectares of farmland.
The remaining states highlighted in the national advisory are Delta, Enugu, Bayelsa, Kogi, Abia, Taraba, Rivers, and Lagos. NiHSA advised all residents in floodplains and flood-prone locations to exercise extreme caution and relocate to higher ground immediately where necessary to safeguard lives and property.