The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NiHSA) has warned of a high risk of riverine flooding across 15 statesbetween September 19 and 25, 2026, urging residents in vulnerable communities to move 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.
NiHSA said rising river levels were expected to trigger flooding in several communities during the seven-day forecast period, potentially affecting schools, healthcare facilities, markets, farms and religious buildings.
The agency urged state governments to urgently relocate residents living in high-risk communities to safer locations before flooding occurs.
“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.”
NiHSA specifically identified river monitoring stations including Obubra, Itigidi and Epento on the Cross River as areas requiring attention.
In Imo State, the agency identified Aboh-Mbaise, Ahiazu-Mbaise, Ehime Mbano, Ezinihitte, Ideato North, Ihitte/Uboma and Ikeduru as vulnerable local government areas.
NiHSA said 958 communities, 1,022 schools, 553 healthcare facilities, 161 markets and 198 religious buildings were exposed to the flood risk in the state.
In Cross River State, the affected areas include Abi, Akamkpa, Akpabuyo, Biase, Calabar, Calabar South, Ikom and Obubra.
The agency identified 2,471 communities, 703 schools, 344 healthcare facilities, 145 markets, 453 religious buildings and 854 hectares of farmland as exposed in the state.
In Ebonyi State, NiHSA listed Abakaliki, Afikpo, Afikpo South, Ebonyi, Ezza North and Ezza South local government areas among the vulnerable locations.
A total of 2,574 communities, 1,064 schools, 422 healthcare facilities, 480 markets, 629 religious buildings and 1,882 hectares of farmland were identified as exposed in Ebonyi.
In Benue State, the affected local government areas are Buruku, Gboko, Guma, Katsina-Ala, Logo and Ukum.
NiHSA said 303 communities, 100 schools, 48 healthcare facilities, 32 markets, 151 religious buildings and 55 hectares of farmland were exposed to the flood risk in the state.
The agency also identified Aguata, Anambra East, Anambra West, Anaocha, Awka North, Awka South and Ayamelum in Anambra State as vulnerable.
According to the advisory, 1,314 communities, 1,308 schools, 1,089 healthcare facilities, 280 markets, 610 religious buildings and 1,529 hectares of farmland were exposed in the state.
In Akwa Ibom State, the affected areas include Abak, Eket, Etinan, Ibeno, Ibesikpo Asutan, Ibiono Ibom, Ika and Ikono.
NiHSA identified 249 communities, 323 schools, 211 healthcare facilities, 74 markets and 289 religious buildings as exposed in the state.
Other states listed in the advisory are Edo, Bayelsa, Enugu, Kogi, Delta, Abia, Taraba, Rivers and Lagos.
NiHSA advised residents living in flood-prone areas, particularly communities located on floodplains, to take precautionary measures and move to higher ground where necessary.
The agency also urged relevant authorities to strengthen preparedness and response measures ahead of the forecast period to reduce the potential impact of flooding on communities and critical infrastructure.
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