Maiduguri city submerged in flood
Federal Government has issued a fresh flood alert, warning that 33 states are at high risk of riverine flooding over the next seven days as rising water levels threaten communities across the country.
The warning, contained in the latest seven-day flood outlook released by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NiHSA), covers the period from August 19 to August 25, 2026.
Speaking on the advisory, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NiHSA, Umar Mohammed, called on residents living in flood-prone areas to immediately move to safer locations to reduce the risk of casualties and property damage.
According to him, “communities living on floodplains should relocate to safer, higher ground,” while state and local governments should activate early-warning systems and emergency response measures to mitigate the anticipated impact.
Mohammed explained that rising river levels are expected to trigger flooding in several parts of the country during the forecast period.
The states identified as being at high risk include Kaduna, Niger, Taraba, Ondo, Oyo, Rivers, Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Enugu, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Plateau, Kaduna and Niger, among others listed in the advisory.
NiHSA also highlighted the scale of exposure facing communities and public infrastructure in some of the affected states.
In Kaduna State, the agency identified 2,006 communities as being vulnerable to flooding. It also listed 453 schools, 69 health facilities, 12 markets and 213 religious buildings as exposed to potential flood impacts.
For Niger State, the agency reported that 898 communities, 524 schools, 268 health facilities, 12 markets, 318 religious buildings and 23 hectares of farmland are at risk.
Similarly, Delta State has 1,046 communities exposed to possible flooding, alongside 1,850 schools, 505 health facilities, 192 markets, 492 religious buildings and 16 hectares of farmland.
As part of measures to reduce the impact of the expected flooding, Mohammed advised state and local authorities to relocate residents, livestock and valuable assets from floodplains to designated higher grounds.
He further urged governments to mobilise early-warning volunteers, clear blocked drainage systems and water channels, and pre-position relief materials, water-treatment supplies and first-aid equipment in vulnerable communities.
The NiHSA chief also warned residents against attempting to cross flooded roads, bridges or fast-flowing rivers, whether on foot or in vehicles.
He equally advised communities to avoid constructing buildings or establishing settlements on floodplains and encouraged the public to closely monitor NiHSA flood bulletins for updates on changing river conditions.
The Federal Government said the advisory forms part of ongoing efforts to minimise the impact of flooding and improve preparedness in communities expected to experience rising water levels during the forecast period.
