The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NiHSA) has warned of a high riverine flood risk across 15 states over the next seven days in September 2026, urging residents in vulnerable communities to relocate to safer and higher grounds.
Key Highlights
- NiHSA forecasts a 7-day flood risk across 15 states.
- Delta, Imo, Cross River, Ebonyi, Benue and Anambra are among the affected states.
- Communities along floodplains have been advised to prepare for possible relocation.
- Schools, healthcare facilities, markets, religious buildings and farmlands are among the assets at risk.
- NiHSA identified flood-prone locations along the Cross River, including Obubra, Itigidi and Epento.
The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NiHSA, Arch Umar Mohammed, disclosed this in the agency’s National Flood Advisory.
Mohammed said rising river levels were expected to cause flooding in several communities, putting schools, healthcare facilities, markets, farms and religious buildings at risk.
He urged affected state governments to urgently relocate residents in vulnerable communities to safer and higher grounds ahead of the predicted flooding. Such advisories have become a regular feature of the rainy season, with the News Agency of Nigeria reporting a similar alert covering dozens of local government areas earlier this month.
NiHSA Flood Warning For 15 States
Mohammed said: “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.”
Imo State Flood Risk
In Imo State, the affected local government areas are Aboh-Mbaise, Ahiazu-Mbaise, Ehime Mbano, Ezinihitte, Ideato North, Ihitte/Uboma and Ikeduru.
NiHSA identified 958 communities, 1,022 schools, 553 healthcare facilities, 161 markets and 198 religious buildings as exposed to the flood risk.
Cross River Flood Risk
In Cross River State, the affected LGAs are 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.
Ebonyi State
In Ebonyi State, the affected LGAs are Abakaliki, Afikpo, Afikpo South, Ebonyi, Ezza North and Ezza South.
The exposure includes 2,574 communities, 1,064 schools, 422 healthcare facilities, 480 markets, 629 religious buildings and 1,882 hectares of farmland.
Benue State
In Benue State, Buruku, Gboko, Guma, Katsina-Ala, Logo and Ukum LGAs are affected.
NiHSA identified 303 communities, 100 schools, 48 healthcare facilities, 32 markets, 151 religious buildings and 55 hectares of farmland as exposed.
Anambra State
In Anambra State, the affected LGAs are Aguata, Anambra East, Anambra West, Anaocha, Awka North, Awka South and Ayamelum.
The agency identified 1,314 communities, 1,308 schools, 1,089 healthcare facilities, 280 markets, 610 religious buildings and 1,529 hectares of farmland as exposed.
Read also:
- Hydrological Agency Warns 14 States At Risk Of Flooding, Advises Residents To Take Precautions
- NEMA, Benue SEMA Begin Flood Simulation Exercise To Test Emergency Response
- FG Warns 915 Communities In 19 States, Abuja Over Imminent Floods
Akwa Ibom State
In Akwa Ibom State, the affected LGAs are Abak, Eket, Etinan, Ibeno, Ibesikpo Asutan, Ibiono Ibom, Ika and Ikono.
NiHSA listed 249 communities, 323 schools, 211 healthcare facilities, 74 markets and 289 religious buildings among the exposed assets.
Other States Facing Flood Risk
NiHSA also listed Edo, Bayelsa, Enugu, Kogi, Delta, Abia, Taraba, Rivers and Lagos among the states facing severe flood risks during the forecast period.
The agency urged state governments and communities in vulnerable areas to take precautionary measures and prepare for possible flooding, particularly in communities located along river channels and floodplains.
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