The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has issued a flood warning for 14 states, alerting residents and authorities to the likelihood of moderate flooding between July 14 and July 20.
Key Highlights:
- The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has issued a flood warning for 14 states between July 14 and July 20.
- The affected states are Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Edo, Enugu, Imo, Kaduna, Lagos, Niger and Plateau.
- NIHSA identified 16 hydrological monitoring stations as high-risk locations requiring close observation.
- The agency warned that communities, schools, healthcare facilities, markets and other public infrastructure in flood-prone areas could be affected.
- Residents of vulnerable communities were advised to relocate where necessary, clear blocked drainage channels and avoid flooded roads.
The agency said the advisory is based on its latest hydrological forecast, which indicates an increased risk of localised flooding along major river channels during the period.
NIHSA Director-General, Umar Mohammed, announced the forecast on Wednesday, explaining that 16 hydrological monitoring stations have been identified as high-risk locations requiring close observation.
The states expected to be affected are Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Edo, Enugu, Imo, Kaduna, Lagos, Niger and Plateau.
Mohammed warned that several communities, including schools, healthcare facilities, markets and other public infrastructure located in flood-prone areas, could be impacted if preventive measures are not taken.
He explained that the annual flood outlook provides scientific predictions and assessments of potential flood scenarios across Nigeria during the rainy season to support disaster preparedness and effective response planning.
According to him, the outlook is designed to assist governments, emergency management agencies and other stakeholders in reducing flood-related risks and protecting lives and property.
The NIHSA director-general urged state governments, emergency response agencies and community leaders to strengthen early warning systems, improve evacuation plans and intensify public awareness campaigns to minimise the impact of possible flooding.
He identified 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 expected to experience increased flood risk during the forecast period.
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Mohammed also advised residents of vulnerable communities to relocate temporarily to safer locations where necessary, clear blocked drainage channels, avoid driving or walking through flooded roads and remain updated through NIHSA’s official flood advisories.
He further called on emergency management agencies to pre-position relief materials, activate community-based early warning systems and enhance coordination with relevant stakeholders to ensure prompt response should flooding occur.
The latest advisory comes as parts of Nigeria continue to experience heavy rainfall during the peak of the rainy season, with authorities urging residents in flood-prone communities to remain vigilant and comply with safety directives.l
