By Asaye Bankole
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.
The agency warned that rising river levels could trigger flooding in vulnerable areas, potentially affecting schools, healthcare facilities, markets, religious centres and farmlands.
The advisory was issued on Saturday by NiHSA Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Arch Umar Mohammed.
The states listed as being at risk are Imo, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Benue, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Edo, Enugu, Bayelsa, Kogi, Abia, Taraba, Rivers and Lagos.
Mohammed urged the affected state governments to take urgent steps to protect residents in vulnerable communities, including relocating people living in flood-prone areas to safer locations where necessary.
He said the forecast indicated a high risk of riverine flooding across the affected states over the seven-day period.
“High riverine flood risk is forecast for the next seven days across Imo, Cross River and 13 other states. Rising river stages are expected to cause flooding,” Mohammed said.
He advised communities located on floodplains to prepare for possible evacuation and move to higher ground when necessary.
According to the advisory, stations including Obubra, Itigidi and Epento along the Cross River were among the areas where rising water levels required close monitoring.
In Imo State, NiHSA identified Aboh-Mbaise, Ahiazu-Mbaise, Ehime Mbano, Ezinihitte, Ideato North, Ihitte/Uboma and Ikeduru Local Government Areas as vulnerable to flooding.
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.
Cross River State was also listed among the areas facing significant exposure. The affected local government areas include Abi, Akamkpa, Akpabuyo, Biase, Calabar, Calabar South, Ikom and Obubra.
NiHSA identified 2,471 communities, 703 schools, 344 healthcare facilities, 145 markets, 453 religious buildings and 854 hectares of farmland as being exposed in Cross River.
In Ebonyi State, Abakaliki, Afikpo, Afikpo South, Ebonyi, Ezza North and Ezza South were listed among the vulnerable local government areas.
The agency reported that 2,574 communities, 1,064 schools, 422 healthcare facilities, 480 markets, 629 religious buildings and 1,882 hectares of farmland were exposed to possible flooding in the state.
In Benue, the affected local government areas are Buruku, Gboko, Guma, Katsina-Ala, Logo and Ukum. NiHSA said 303 communities, 100 schools, 48 healthcare facilities, 32 markets, 151 religious buildings and 55 hectares of farmland were exposed.
Anambra was also identified as a flood-prone state, with Aguata, Anambra East, Anambra West, Anaocha, Awka North, Awka South and Ayamelum among the affected local government areas.
According to NiHSA, 1,314 communities, 1,308 schools, 1,089 healthcare facilities, 280 markets, 610 religious buildings and 1,529 hectares of farmland were exposed to the risk.
In Akwa Ibom, the agency listed Abak, Eket, Etinan, Ibeno, Ibesikpo Asutan, Ibiono Ibom, Ika and Ikono as vulnerable areas.
It identified 249 communities, 323 schools, 211 healthcare facilities, 74 markets and 289 religious buildings as being exposed to possible flooding in the state.
NiHSA advised residents living in flood-prone communities, particularly those located along floodplains and waterways, to remain alert and take precautionary measures.
The agency urged residents to monitor official weather and flood warnings, avoid activities that could put them at risk and move to safer, higher ground whenever necessary.
State governments and relevant emergency management authorities were also advised to intensify preparedness measures in vulnerable communities as the forecast period progresses.
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