Precious Anga
Lagos — The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, NIHSA, has issued a high flood risk alert across 15 states, warning of possible riverine flooding between September 19 and 25 as rising river levels threaten communities, infrastructure, farms and other economic assets.
The alert, designated NFA-2026-262, covers Imo, Cross River, Ebonyi, Benue, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Lagos, Rivers, Edo, Kogi, Taraba, Delta, Bayelsa, Enugu and Abia. NIHSA said nine river stations require close monitoring because of the expected rise in water levels.
Among the stations identified are Obubra, Itigidi and Epento along the Cross River, where rising river stages could trigger flooding in communities located on floodplains.
NIHSA Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Umar Ibrahim Mohammed, urged state and local governments, emergency management agencies, traditional rulers and community leaders to take immediate preventive measures in areas exposed to the flood risk.
The scale of potential exposure is particularly significant in Cross River State, where the agency identified 2,471 communities, 703 schools, 344 health facilities, 145 markets, 453 religious centres and 854 hectares of farmland within the identified flood exposure areas.
Mohammed urged communities in vulnerable locations to prepare for possible evacuation, including moving people, livestock and valuable property from floodplains to safer and higher ground where necessary.
He also advised authorities and residents to activate community-based early-warning and emergency response systems, while monitoring NIHSA advisories and updates on river levels.
Communities were further advised to avoid crossing flooded roads, bridges and fast-moving water, while authorities were urged to pre-position relief materials, safe drinking water, water-treatment supplies and first-aid materials ahead of possible emergencies.
NIHSA also called for the identification of safe shelters for potential evacuation and the clearing of blocked drainage channels and river outlets where this can be done safely. It cautioned against construction or habitation in vulnerable floodplain areas.
The agency said early action and compliance with official flood warnings would be critical to reducing potential losses of lives, property and livelihoods as river levels rise across the affected areas.
NIHSA said it would continue monitoring hydrological conditions and river levels across the affected states and issue further updates where necessary.
