The Nigeria Hydrological Service Agency (NiHSA) has warned of a seven-day high flood in Lagos Cross River, and 12 other states.
The Director General (DG) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NiHSA, Arch Umar Mohammed, made the disclosure in a National Flood Advisory, on Friday.
He said the flood which is projected to occur from September 19 to 25, 2026 would affect schools, healthcare facilities, markets, farms and religious buildings, among others.
In a bid to save lives and properties, Mohammed advised the affected state governments to urgently take action by move their people to higher ground ahead of the flooding.
He said, “High riverine flood risk forecast for the next 7 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: Obubra on the Cross River, Itigidi on the Cross River, and Epento on the Cross River.”
In Imo State, the affected local government areas are Aboh-Mba, Ahizu-Mb, Ehime-Mb, Ezinihit, Ideato No, Ihitte/U and Ikeduru. The agency identified 958 communities, 1,022 schools, 553 healthcare facilities, 161 markets and 198 religious buildings as exposed to the flood risk.
In Cross River, the affected local government areas include Abi, Akamkpa, Akpabuyo, Biase, Calabar, Calabar South, Ikom and Obubra. NiHSA listed 2,471 communities, 703 schools, 344 healthcare facilities, 145 markets, 453 religious buildings and 854 hectares of farmland as exposed.
The agency also identified Abakaliki, Afikpo, Afikpo South, Ebonyi, Ezza North and Ezza as affected local government areas in Ebonyi State, with 2,574 communities, 1,064 schools, 422 healthcare facilities, 480 markets, 629 religious buildings and 1,882 hectares of farmland exposed.
In Benue, Buruku, Gboko, Guma, Katsina-Ala, Logo and Ukum are among the affected local government areas. The exposure includes 303 communities, 100 schools, 48 healthcare facilities, 32 markets, 151 religious buildings and 55 hectares of farmland.
For Anambra State, the affected areas include Aguata, Anambra East, Anambra West, Anaocha, Awka North, Awka South and Ayamelum. The advisory put the number of exposed communities at 1,314, with 1,308 schools, 1,089 healthcare facilities, 280 markets, 610 religious buildings and 1,529 hectares of farmland also at risk.
In Akwa Ibom, the affected local government areas are 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 to the anticipated flooding.
Meanwhile, the agency identified Edo, Bayelsa, Enugu, Kogi, Delta, Abia, Taraba and Rivers among other states expected to experience severe impacts from the forecast flooding.
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