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The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NiHSA) has warned that more than 8,000 communities and 4,500 schools across 15 states are at risk of flooding between September 19 and 25.
The warning was contained in NiHSA’s latest National Flood Advisory issued on Saturday by its Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Arch Umar Mohammed.
The affected states are Imo, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Benue, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Edo, Enugu, Bayelsa, Kogi, Abia, Taraba, Rivers and Lagos.
NiHSA said rising river levels could trigger flooding in vulnerable communities, with schools, healthcare facilities, markets, religious buildings and farmlands among areas that could be affected.
Mohammed urged state governments to urgently relocate residents living in high-risk communities to safer areas, particularly those situated on floodplains.
“High riverine flood risk is forecast for the next seven days across Imo, Cross River and 13 other states,” he said.
In Imo, the agency identified seven local government areas as vulnerable, with 958 communities, 1,022 schools, 553 healthcare facilities, 161 markets and 198 religious buildings exposed.
Cross River has eight affected LGAs, with 2,471 communities, 703 schools, 344 healthcare facilities, 145 markets, 453 religious buildings and 854 hectares of farmland at risk.
In Ebonyi, six LGAs were identified, with 2,574 communities, 1,064 schools, 422 healthcare facilities, 480 markets, 629 religious buildings and 1,882 hectares of farmland exposed.
NiHSA also listed six LGAs in Benue as vulnerable, with 303 communities, 100 schools, 48 healthcare facilities, 32 markets, 151 religious buildings and 55 hectares of farmland at risk.
In Anambra, seven LGAs were identified, with 1,314 communities, 1,308 schools, 1,089 healthcare facilities, 280 markets, 610 religious buildings and 1,529 hectares of farmland exposed.
Akwa Ibom also has eight affected LGAs, where 249 communities, 323 schools, 211 healthcare facilities, 74 markets and 289 religious buildings were identified as vulnerable.
The agency urged residents in flood-prone areas to remain vigilant, take necessary precautions and move to higher ground where required.
