Agency warns schools, markets, and health centres could be affected as rivers rise
The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has issued a flood advisory warning that 14 states may experience a medium flood risk between July 14 and July 20. The Director-General of NIHSA, Mr Umar Mohammed, said the advisory is based on the agency’s latest hydrological forecast projecting localised flooding along major river channels.
According to NIHSA, 16 monitoring stations have been identified as high-risk locations. The affected states are Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Edo, Enugu, Imo, Kaduna, Lagos, Niger, and Plateau. The agency said several LGAs and communities, including schools, health facilities and markets, could be impacted if precautionary measures are not taken.
Mohammed listed Saminaka on the Karam River, the Waya Dam site on the Waya River, and Amber on the Amber River as some of the critical locations on the projected flood path. He explained that the Annual Flood Outlook provides predictions and analyses of possible flood scenarios across the country during the rainy season to guide planning.
The NIHSA boss said the forecast is intended to support disaster preparedness, response planning, and risk reduction by governments and relevant agencies. He urged state governments, emergency management agencies and communities to strengthen early warning systems, evacuation plans and public awareness campaigns ahead of possible flooding.
Residents in flood-prone areas were advised to relocate to safer areas, clear drainage channels, avoid crossing flooded roads, and stay updated with NIHSA’s flood forecasts. Mohammed also called on emergency management agencies to pre-position relief materials and activate community-based early warning systems to minimise damage and casualties.
With the rainy season intensifying, NIHSA stressed that proactive action now will save lives and property. The agency noted that timely information and community cooperation remain crucial to reducing the impact of flooding across the 14 flagged states this week.
