Thousands of communities, schools, healthcare facilities, markets, religious centres and hectares of farmland across 15 states have been placed on heightened flood alert as the Federal Government warns of rising river levels between September 19 and 25.
The warning, issued by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NiHSA), shifts attention from isolated flash-flood incidents to the potential exposure of critical infrastructure and communities located along floodplains and river channels.
NiHSA Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Umar Mohammed, in a National Flood Advisory released at the weekend, urged residents in vulnerable communities to prepare for possible evacuation, while calling on state governments to move people from exposed locations to safer and higher ground.
The agency specifically identified Imo, Cross River, Ebonyi, Benue, Anambra and Akwa Ibom among the states facing significant exposure, with Edo, Bayelsa, Enugu, Kogi, Delta, Abia, Taraba and Rivers also listed among states expected to experience severe impacts.
Mohammed said rising river stages could trigger flooding in vulnerable areas, particularly communities situated on floodplains. He identified monitoring stations at Obubra, Itigidi and Epento, all along the Cross River, as locations requiring close attention.
In Imo State, NiHSA listed Aboh-Mbaise, Ahizu-Mbaise, Ehime-Mbano, Ezinihitte, Ideato North, Ihitte/U and Ikeduru among the affected areas. The advisory indicates that 958 communities, 1,022 schools, 553 healthcare facilities, 161 markets and 198 religious buildings could be exposed.
Cross River faces a broader exposure, with Abi, Akamkpa, Akpabuyo, Calabar, Calabar South, Ikom, Biase and Obubra among the affected local government areas. NiHSA identified 2,471 communities, 703 schools, 344 healthcare facilities, 145 markets, 453 religious buildings and 854 hectares of farmland as vulnerable.
In Ebonyi, the listed locations include Abakaliki, Afikpo, Afikpo South, Ebonyi, Ezza North and Ezza, with 2,574 communities, 1,064 schools, 422 healthcare facilities, 480 markets, 629 religious buildings and 1,882 hectares of farmland exposed.
The warning also covers parts of Benue, where Buruku, Gboko, Guma, Katsina-Ala, Logo and Ukum were identified. The agency estimated exposure at 303 communities, 100 schools, 48 healthcare facilities, 32 markets, 151 religious buildings and 55 hectares of farmland.
Anambra is similarly exposed, with Aguata, Anambra East, Anambra West, Anaocha, Awka North, Awka South and Ayamelum listed among the vulnerable areas. The advisory places 1,314 communities at risk, alongside 1,308 schools, 1,089 healthcare facilities, 280 markets, 610 religious buildings and 1,529 hectares of farmland.
In Akwa Ibom, NiHSA identified Abak, Eket, Etinan, Ibeno, Ibesikpo Asutan, Ibiono Ibom, Ika and Ikono as areas requiring vigilance. It listed 249 communities, 323 schools, 211 healthcare facilities, 74 markets and 289 religious buildings as exposed.
The agency’s advisory effectively puts the emphasis on early action, particularly in communities where rising water levels could quickly cut off roads, disrupt schooling, affect healthcare delivery and damage agricultural activities.
NiHSA therefore urged residents in flood-prone communities not to wait for floodwaters to rise before taking precautionary measures, while state authorities were advised to strengthen local preparedness and facilitate movement to safer locations where necessary.
The warning comes as the peak rainy season continues to put pressure on several parts of the country, making monitoring of river levels and timely communication increasingly important for communities living close to waterways and floodplains.
