More than 8,000 communities and 4,500 schools across 15 states are at risk of flooding between September 19 and 25, the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency has warned.
The National Flood Advisory issued by NiHSA identified Imo, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Benue, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Edo, Enugu, Bayelsa, Kogi, Abia, Taraba, Rivers and Lagos as states facing high flood risk.
NiHSA Director-General, Arch Umar Mohammed, said rising river levels could cause flooding in vulnerable communities, particularly those located on floodplains. He urged affected state governments to relocate residents in vulnerable areas to safer locations ahead of the forecast.
In Imo, 958 communities, 1,022 schools, 553 healthcare facilities, 161 markets and 198 religious buildings were identified as exposed across several local government areas. Cross River recorded 2,471 communities, 703 schools, 344 healthcare facilities, 145 markets and 453 religious buildings at risk, alongside 854 hectares of farmland.
In Ebonyi, NiHSA listed 2,574 communities, 1,064 schools, 422 healthcare facilities, 480 markets and 629 religious buildings as exposed, with 1,882 hectares of farmland also at risk. Benue had 303 vulnerable communities, 100 schools, 48 healthcare facilities, 32 markets and 151 religious buildings across six local government areas.
Anambra was identified as having 1,314 communities, 1,308 schools, 1,089 healthcare facilities, 280 markets and 610 religious buildings exposed, as well as 1,529 hectares of farmland. In Akwa Ibom, 249 communities, 323 schools, 211 healthcare facilities, 74 markets and 289 religious buildings were also listed.
The agency advised residents in flood-prone areas, particularly those living on floodplains, to take precautionary measures and move to higher ground where necessary. It said communities should remain alert to rising river levels throughout the forecast period.
