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Chibuzor Emejor
The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NiHSA), has again raised the alarm over what it described as “High Flood Risk across 27 States.”
In a statement on Thursday in Abuja,Director General/Chief Executive Officer of NiHSA,Umar Ibrahim Mohammed,
warned of rising flood threat and called for collective preparedness to safeguard lives, livelihoods, and critical infrastructure.
According to the latest hydrological forecast issued by NiHSA, a High Flood Risk has been identified across 27 states between 30 July and 05 August 2026, following rising river levels that could trigger significant riverine flooding in vulnerable communities.
The Director General disclosed that 53 key river monitoring stations are currently at risk, with critical locations including Katsina Ala (Katsina Ala River), Itoikin (Aye River), and Onitsha (River Niger) under close observation.
He noted that states expected to experience significant impacts include Niger, Kaduna, Kwara, Delta, Kogi, and Edo, among 21 other affected states.
The anticipated flooding, the Agency said, could affect communities, schools, healthcare facilities, markets, places of worship, and farmlands, if timely preventive measures are not taken.
Mohammed called on State Governments, Local Government Authorities, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs), traditional institutions, community leaders, and residents of flood-prone communities to immediately activate emergency preparedness and response measures.
He urged residents in vulnerable areas to relocate to safer, higher ground where necessary, monitor NiHSA’s flood advisories regularly, pre-position relief materials and emergency supplies, prepare evacuation shelters, mobilise community early warning volunteers, avoid crossing flooded roads or fast-flowing rivers, and clear drainage channels to minimise flood impacts.
The Director General stressed that collective preparedness, early warning, and timely action remain the most effective measures for reducing the devastating impacts of flooding, urging all Nigerians to heed official advisories and cooperate with emergency response authorities.
He assured the public that NiHSA will continue to closely monitor river conditions nationwide and provide timely forecasts and advisories to support informed decision-making and protect lives and property.
Recall that NiHSA had last week’s Tuesday warned of imminent flooding in Bauchi, Edo, Imo, Kaduna, Plateau, Benue, and 11 additional states.
The NIHSA issued a National Flood Advisory (Alert No.: NFA-2026-200) forecasting a Medium Flood Risk across 17 states.
According to the release, “The 7-day advisory, effective from July 21 to July 27, 2026, highlights imminent localised inundations along key river channels and floodplains.”
Speaking on the advisory, the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of NIHSA, Umar Ibrahim Mohammed, emphasised the critical need for proactive risk management, timely evacuation, and inter-agency coordination to protect lives, livelihoods, and critical infrastructure.
