More than 8,000 communities and 4,500 schools across 15 states are facing the threat of flooding as rising river levels put homes, schools, healthcare facilities, markets, religious buildings and farmlands at risk.
The warning was contained in the latest National Flood Advisory issued by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NiHSA), covering the period from September 19 to 25.
According to the advisory issued on Saturday by NiHSA Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Arch Umar Mohammed, high riverine flood risk is expected across Imo, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Benue, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Edo, Enugu, Bayelsa, Kogi, Abia, Taraba, Rivers and Lagos states.
The agency said rising river stages could trigger flooding in vulnerable communities, particularly those located on floodplains.
Mohammed urged affected state governments to urgently relocate residents living in vulnerable areas to safer locations ahead of the forecast.
“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. Stations include Obubra, Itigidi and Epento on the Cross River,” he said.
The scale of the exposure varies across the affected states, with thousands of communities and critical public facilities potentially facing disruption.
In Imo State, NiHSA identified Aboh-Mbaise, Ahiazu-Mbaise, Ehime Mbano, Ezinihitte, Ideato North, Ihitte/Uboma and Ikeduru local government areas as being at risk.
The agency said 958 communities, 1,022 schools, 553 healthcare facilities, 161 markets and 198 religious buildings are exposed in the state.
In Cross River State, the affected local government areas include Abi, Akamkpa, Akpabuyo, Biase, Calabar, Calabar South, Ikom and Obubra.
NiHSA identified 2,471 communities, 703 schools, 344 healthcare facilities, 145 markets, 453 religious buildings and 854 hectares of farmland as exposed to the flood risk.
In Ebonyi State, Abakaliki, Afikpo, Afikpo South, Ebonyi, Ezza North and Ezza South local government areas were identified as vulnerable.
The agency listed 2,574 communities, 1,064 schools, 422 healthcare facilities, 480 markets, 629 religious buildings and 1,882 hectares of farmland as exposed.
In Benue State, Buruku, Gboko, Guma, Katsina-Ala, Logo and Ukum local government areas were listed among the areas at risk, with 303 communities, 100 schools, 48 healthcare facilities, 32 markets, 151 religious buildings and 55 hectares of farmland exposed.
NiHSA also identified Aguata, Anambra East, Anambra West, Anaocha, Awka North, Awka South and Ayamelum local government areas in Anambra State as vulnerable.
The agency said 1,314 communities, 1,308 schools, 1,089 healthcare facilities, 280 markets, 610 religious buildings and 1,529 hectares of farmland are exposed to the flood risk.
In Akwa Ibom State, Abak, Eket, Etinan, Ibeno, Ibesikpo Asutan, Ibiono Ibom, Ika and Ikono local government areas were listed among the affected areas.
NiHSA identified 249 communities, 323 schools, 211 healthcare facilities, 74 markets and 289 religious buildings as exposed in the state.
Beyond the immediate threat to homes and livelihoods, the forecast raises concerns about possible disruption to education, healthcare, trade, farming and other daily activities in affected communities.
NiHSA therefore advised residents in flood-prone areas, particularly those living on floodplains, to take precautionary measures and move to higher ground where necessary.
With the advisory covering 15 states, the agency urged communities and authorities to treat the warning as an early-action alert and prepare ahead of possible flooding rather than wait until rising waters force evacuation.