NIHSA Issues Fresh Flood Alert for 13 States

(Flooded streets. Photo by News Express)

The Nigeria Hydrological Service Agency (NIHSA) has raised an alarm over possible flooding in parts of Adamawa, Bauchi, Edo, Imo, Enugu, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Kaduna, Plateau, Niger, Benue, and Borno states within the next seven days.

In a post on its X handle on Thursday, the agency disclosed that a medium flood advisory now covers Adamawa, Bauchi, and 11 other states for the coming week.

According to NIHSA, localised flooding is expected along the main river channels, with several communities situated within the projected flood zone.

The affected monitoring stations include Saminara on the Karam river, Waya Dam Site on the Waya river, and Amber on the Amber river.

The agency broke down the exposure by state as follows: in Adamawa, the Lemsa, Lamurde, and Numan areas face exposure affecting 147 communities, 49 schools, 40 health facilities, six markets, and 17 religious centres.

In Bauchi, the Bauchi, Ningi, and Shira areas have four communities exposed. Kaduna’s Chikun, Giwa, Igabi, Jaba, Jema’a, Kachia, Kaura, Kauru, and six other local government areas have one community exposed.

In Borno, the Gubio and Mobbar areas face exposure covering 680 communities, eight schools, six health facilities, five markets, and 21 religious centres. Edo’s Akoko-Edo, Etsako East, Etsako West, Ikpoba-Okha, Orhionmwon, Ovia North East, and Ovia South West areas have three communities exposed, while Imo’s Aboh-Mbaise, Oguta, Ohaji/Egbema, Okigwe, Owerri North, and Owerri West areas also have three communities exposed.

The advisory noted that seven additional states and their respective local government areas remain affected by varying degrees of severity.

NIHSA urged residents in the affected areas not to attempt crossing flooded roads, bridges, or fast-moving water either on foot or by vehicle.

The agency further advised that drainage channels and river-mouth blockages be cleared, that people avoid constructing or residing in floodplain areas, and that residents relocate people, livestock, and valuables from floodplains to pre-identified higher ground.