NiHSA Warns of Flooding in 8,000 Communities, 4,500 Schools

More than 8,000 communities and 4,500 schools across 15 states are at risk of flooding between September 19 and 25, according to the latest National Flood Advisory issued by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency.

NiHSA said rising river levels are expected to trigger flooding in vulnerable communities, exposing schools, healthcare facilities, markets, religious buildings and farmlands to possible inundation.

The affected states are Imo, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Benue, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Edo, Enugu, Bayelsa, Kogi, Abia, Taraba, Rivers and Lagos.

Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Arch Umar Mohammed, urged the affected state governments to urgently relocate residents living in vulnerable communities to safer locations ahead of the forecast.

He said high riverine flood risk is expected across the 15 states over the seven-day period, with rising river stages likely to cause flooding in several areas.

Mohammed particularly advised communities located on floodplains to prepare to move to higher ground, citing areas around Obubra, Itigidi and Epento in Cross River as some of the locations being monitored.

In Imo State, NiHSA identified Aboh-Mbaise, Ahiazu-Mbaise, Ehime Mbano, Ezinihitte, Ideato North, Ihitte/Uboma and Ikeduru Local Government Areas as vulnerable to flooding.

The agency said 958 communities, 1,022 schools, 553 healthcare facilities, 161 markets and 198 religious buildings are exposed in the state.

Cross River has eight affected Local Government Areas, including Abi, Akamkpa, Akpabuyo, Biase, Calabar, Calabar South, Ikom and Obubra.

NiHSA identified 2,471 communities, 703 schools, 344 healthcare facilities, 145 markets and 453 religious buildings as exposed in the state, alongside 854 hectares of farmland.

In Ebonyi, Abakaliki, Afikpo, Afikpo South, Ebonyi, Ezza North and Ezza South Local Government Areas were listed among the vulnerable areas.

The agency said 2,574 communities, 1,064 schools, 422 healthcare facilities, 480 markets and 629 religious buildings are exposed in Ebonyi, with 1,882 hectares of farmland also at risk.

In Benue, the affected Local Government Areas are Buruku, Gboko, Guma, Katsina-Ala, Logo and Ukum.

NiHSA listed 303 communities, 100 schools, 48 healthcare facilities, 32 markets and 151 religious buildings as exposed, along with 55 hectares of farmland.

In Anambra State, Aguata, Anambra East, Anambra West, Anaocha, Awka North, Awka South and Ayamelum were identified as vulnerable.

The agency said 1,314 communities and 1,308 schools are exposed in the state, alongside 1,089 healthcare facilities, 280 markets, 610 religious buildings and 1,529 hectares of farmland.

In Akwa Ibom, the affected areas include Abak, Eket, Etinan, Ibeno, Ibesikpo Asutan, Ibiono Ibom, Ika and Ikono Local Government Areas.

NiHSA identified 249 communities, 323 schools, 211 healthcare facilities, 74 markets and 289 religious buildings as exposed to the flood risk.

The agency advised residents in all flood-prone areas, particularly those living on floodplains and near rivers, to take precautionary measures and move to higher ground where necessary.

NiHSA also called on relevant authorities and communities to remain alert throughout the forecast period and take early action to reduce the potential impact of flooding.