FLOOD ALERT ISSUED FOR 8,000 COMMUNITIES AND 4,500 SCHOOLS ACROSS 15 STATES

More than 8,000 communities and 4,500 schools across 15 states have been identified as being at risk of flooding between September 19 and 25, according to the latest National Flood Advisory issued by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency. The agency warned that rising river levels could cause flooding in vulnerable locations, putting schools, healthcare facilities, markets, religious buildings and farmlands at risk of being submerged. The advisory was issued on Saturday by the agency’s Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Arch Umar Mohammed.

The states listed in the flood warning are Imo, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Benue, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Edo, Enugu, Bayelsa, Kogi, Abia, Taraba, Rivers and Lagos. Mohammed said the forecast indicated a high riverine flood risk over the seven-day period and urged state governments to take immediate steps to protect residents in vulnerable communities. He specifically advised people living on floodplains to prepare to relocate to higher ground, noting that rising river stages could trigger flooding in several locations. Stations including Obubra, Itigidi and Epento along the Cross River were identified as areas requiring particular attention.

In Imo State, the agency identified Aboh-Mbaise, Ahiazu-Mbaise, Ehime Mbano, Ezinihitte, Ideato North, Ihitte/Uboma and Ikeduru Local Government Areas as vulnerable. NiHSA said 958 communities, 1,022 schools, 553 healthcare facilities, 161 markets and 198 religious buildings were exposed to the flood risk in the state. In Cross River, the affected areas include Abi, Akamkpa, Akpabuyo, Biase, Calabar, Calabar South, Ikom and Obubra, with 2,471 communities, 703 schools, 344 healthcare facilities, 145 markets, 453 religious buildings and 854 hectares of farmland identified as exposed.

Ebonyi State was also listed among the areas facing significant flood exposure, with Abakaliki, Afikpo, Afikpo South, Ebonyi, Ezza North and Ezza South LGAs identified as vulnerable. The agency estimated that 2,574 communities, 1,064 schools, 422 healthcare facilities, 480 markets, 629 religious buildings and 1,882 hectares of farmland were at risk in the state. In Benue, the affected LGAs include Buruku, Gboko, Guma, Katsina-Ala, Logo and Ukum, where 303 communities, 100 schools, 48 healthcare facilities, 32 markets, 151 religious buildings and 55 hectares of farmland were listed as exposed. Anambra was also identified, with Aguata, Anambra East, Anambra West, Anaocha, Awka North, Awka South and Ayamelum among the vulnerable areas, covering 1,314 communities and 1,308 schools, alongside other facilities and farmland.

In Akwa Ibom, the affected local government areas include Abak, Eket, Etinan, Ibeno, Ibesikpo Asutan, Ibiono Ibom, Ika and Ikono. NiHSA identified 249 communities, 323 schools, 211 healthcare facilities, 74 markets and 289 religious buildings as exposed in the state. The agency urged residents in flood-prone locations, particularly those living on floodplains, to take precautionary measures and move to safer, higher ground where necessary. State authorities were also advised to act promptly to reduce the potential impact of flooding on communities and essential infrastructure during the period covered by the advisory.