On Saturday, the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NiHSA) issued a National Flood Advisory warning that a high riverine flood risk will affect 15 states between 19 and 25 September 2026. The agency urged residents in vulnerable communities to relocate to safer, higher ground before the predicted rise in river stages.
“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,” said NiHSA Director‑General and Chief Executive Officer Arch Umar Mohammed.
In Imo State, the affected local government areas are Aboh‑Mbaise, Ahiazu‑Mbaise, Ehime Mbano, Ezinihitte, Ideato North, Ihitte/Uboma and Ikeduru. NiHSA identified 958 communities, 1,022 schools, 553 healthcare facilities, 161 markets and 198 religious buildings as exposed.
Cross River State will see flooding in Abi, Akamkpa, Akpabuyo, Biase, Calabar, Calabar South, Ikom and Obubra. The agency listed 2,471 communities, 703 schools, 344 healthcare facilities, 145 markets, 453 religious buildings and 854 hectares of farmland at risk. In Ebonyi State, Abakaliki, Afikpo, Afikpo South, Ebonyi, Ezza North and Ezza South LGAs are affected, with 2,574 communities, 1,064 schools, 422 healthcare facilities, 480 markets, 629 religious buildings and 1,882 hectares of farmland exposed.
Benue State’s Buruku, Gboko, Guma, Katsina‑Ala, Logo and Ukum LGAs face 303 communities, 100 schools, 48 healthcare facilities, 32 markets, 151 religious buildings and 55 hectares of farmland at risk. Anambra State’s Aguata, Anambra East, Anambra West, Anaocha, Awka North, Awka South and Ayamelum LGAs have 1,314 communities, 1,308 schools, 1,089 healthcare facilities, 280 markets, 610 religious buildings and 1,529 hectares of farmland exposed. Akwa Ibom’s Abak, Eket, Etinan, Ibeno, Ibesikpo Asutan, Ibiono Ibom, Ika and Ikono LGAs are affected, with 249 communities, 323 schools, 211 healthcare facilities, 74 markets and 289 religious buildings listed.
NiHSA also identified Edo, Bayelsa, Enugu, Kogi, Delta, Abia, Taraba, Rivers and Lagos as other states facing severe flood risks during the forecast period.
<small>Source: Vanguard News — read the original story there.</small>
