Flood Alert: NiHSA Warns 15 States of High Riverine Flood Risk – High flood to hit Delta, Imo, Cross River, 12 other states in 7 days

By FRONTLINE REPORTERS

The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NiHSA) has warned of a high risk of riverine flooding across 15 states between September 19 and 25, 2026, urging residents in vulnerable communities to relocate to safer and higher ground.

The warning was contained in NiHSA’s National Flood Advisory issued by its Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Arch Umar Mohammed, on Saturday.

Mohammed said rising river levels were expected to trigger flooding in several communities, putting schools, healthcare facilities, markets, farms and religious buildings at risk.

He specifically advised state governments to immediately activate their emergency response measures and relocate residents living in flood-prone areas before the situation worsens.

“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,” Mohammed said.

He added: “Communities on the floodplain should prepare to move to higher ground. Stations include Obubra, Itigidi and Epento on the Cross River.”

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.

In Cross River State, Abi, Akamkpa, Akpabuyo, Biase, Calabar, Calabar South, Ikom and Obubra are listed among the affected LGAs. 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 is also at risk, with Abakaliki, Afikpo, Afikpo South, Ebonyi, Ezza North and Ezza South identified as affected LGAs. The exposure includes 2,574 communities, 1,064 schools, 422 healthcare facilities, 480 markets, 629 religious buildings and 1,882 hectares of farmland.

In Benue State, the affected LGAs are Buruku, Gboko, Guma, Katsina-Ala, Logo and Ukum, with 303 communities, 100 schools, 48 healthcare facilities, 32 markets, 151 religious buildings and 55 hectares of farmland exposed.

NiHSA also listed Aguata, Anambra East, Anambra West, Anaocha, Awka North, Awka South and Ayamelum in Anambra State, where 1,314 communities, 1,308 schools, 1,089 healthcare facilities, 280 markets, 610 religious buildings and 1,529 hectares of farmland are exposed.

In Akwa Ibom State, Abak, Eket, Etinan, Ibeno, Ibesikpo Asutan, Ibiono Ibom, Ika and Ikono are among the affected LGAs. The agency listed 249 communities, 323 schools, 211 healthcare facilities, 74 markets and 289 religious buildings as exposed.

Other states identified in the seven-day flood advisory are Edo, Bayelsa, Enugu, Kogi, Delta, Abia, Taraba, Rivers and Lagos, bringing the total number of states under the high-risk warning to 15.

NiHSA urged residents in floodplains and other vulnerable locations to take the warning seriously, monitor official updates and move to higher ground whenever flooding becomes imminent