More than 8,000 communities and 4,500 schools across 15 states have been identified as being at risk of flooding between September 19 and 25, according to the latest National Flood Advisory issued by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NiHSA).
The agency warned that rising river levels could trigger flooding in vulnerable communities, exposing schools, healthcare facilities, markets, religious buildings and farmlands to inundation.
The advisory, issued on Saturday by NiHSA Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Arch Umar Mohammed, listed Imo, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Benue, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Edo, Enugu, Bayelsa, Kogi, Abia, Taraba, Rivers and Lagos among the affected states.
Mohammed urged state governments to urgently relocate residents in vulnerable communities to safer locations ahead of the forecast.
He said high riverine flood risks were expected over the seven-day period, particularly in communities located on floodplains.
“Communities on the floodplain should prepare to move to higher ground. Stations include Obubra, Itigidi and Epento on the Cross River,” he said.
In Imo State, NiHSA identified Aboh-Mbaise, Ahiazu-Mbaise, Ehime Mbano, Ezinihitte, Ideato North, Ihitte/Uboma and Ikeduru local government areas as vulnerable.
The agency said 958 communities, 1,022 schools, 553 healthcare facilities, 161 markets and 198 religious buildings were exposed to the flood risk in the state.
In Cross River State, Abi, Akamkpa, Akpabuyo, Biase, Calabar, Calabar South, Ikom and Obubra LGAs were listed among the affected areas.
NiHSA identified 2,471 communities, 703 schools, 344 healthcare facilities, 145 markets, 453 religious buildings and 854 hectares of farmland as exposed in the state.
In Ebonyi, the affected areas include Abakaliki, Afikpo, Afikpo South, Ebonyi, Ezza North and Ezza South local government areas.
The agency estimated that 2,574 communities, 1,064 schools, 422 healthcare facilities, 480 markets, 629 religious buildings and 1,882 hectares of farmland were exposed to flooding.
In Benue State, Buruku, Gboko, Guma, Katsina-Ala, Logo and Ukum LGAs were identified as vulnerable, with 303 communities, 100 schools, 48 healthcare facilities, 32 markets, 151 religious buildings and 55 hectares of farmland at risk.
NiHSA also listed Aguata, Anambra East, Anambra West, Anaocha, Awka North, Awka South and Ayamelum LGAs in Anambra State among the areas facing flood risks.
The agency said 1,314 communities, 1,308 schools, 1,089 healthcare facilities, 280 markets, 610 religious buildings and 1,529 hectares of farmland were exposed.
In Akwa Ibom, Abak, Eket, Etinan, Ibeno, Ibesikpo Asutan, Ibiono Ibom, Ika and Ikono LGAs were listed among the vulnerable areas.
NiHSA identified 249 communities, 323 schools, 211 healthcare facilities, 74 markets and 289 religious buildings as exposed in the state.
The agency advised residents in flood-prone areas, especially those living on floodplains, to take precautionary measures and relocate to higher ground where necessary.
