NIHSA Warns 17 States of Medium Flood Risk Between July 21 and 27

The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has warned residents and authorities in 17 states to prepare for possible flooding between July 21 and 27, 2026, following rising water levels at several critical monitoring stations across the country.

The agency issued the warning in its latest National Flood Advisory, identified as Alert No. NFA-2026-200, which classified the affected areas under a medium flood risk category.

The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NIHSA, Arc Umar Mohammed, said the affected states include Bauchi, Edo, Imo, Kaduna, Plateau and Benue, alongside 11 other states.

According to Mohammed, the latest forecast points to the possibility of localized flooding along major river channels and floodplains, urging governments and residents to take preventive measures to minimise the potential loss of lives, livelihoods and critical infrastructure.

He said hydrological monitoring had shown that water levels at key stations, including Saminara on the Karam River, Waya Dam Site on the Waya River and Amber on the Amber River, had risen above established watch and warning thresholds.

“With 16 gauging stations showing elevated stages, communities along the primary channels face imminent localized flooding. We strongly advise state governments, local authorities, and residents on floodplains to act immediately,” Mohammed said.

NIHSA said the warning covers 17 states and identified 16 critical gauging stations across the country's hydrometric monitoring network as being at elevated risk.

The agency's impact and exposure assessment highlighted the scale of potential risks in some of the affected states.

In Bauchi State, NIHSA identified 1,841 communities, 145 schools, 101 health facilities and eight markets as potentially exposed.

In Edo State, the areas identified include 148 communities, 131 schools, 123 health facilities, four markets and seven religious centres, as well as seven hectares of farmland.

Imo State was assessed to have 415 potentially exposed communities, 423 schools, 198 health facilities, 49 markets, 111 religious centres and 75 hectares of farmland.

In Kaduna State, the agency identified 168 communities, 16 schools, three health facilities and three religious centres that could be affected.

For Plateau State, the assessment listed 205 communities, 137 schools, 44 health facilities, 16 markets, 81 religious centres and 64 hectares of farmland.

In Benue State, five communities, eight schools, two health facilities and four religious centres were identified as potentially exposed to flood impacts.

In response to the forecast, Mohammed called on emergency management authorities, including the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs), as well as local government officials and community leaders, to activate flood preparedness measures without delay.

He urged authorities to facilitate the immediate evacuation of residents, livestock and essential household belongings from vulnerable floodplains to designated safe locations where necessary.

Emergency response agencies were also advised to pre-position essential relief materials, including medical supplies, first-aid equipment, water-treatment materials and food items, in accessible and safe locations.

NIHSA further recommended the activation of community-based early-warning systems and local communication channels to ensure that residents receive timely alerts as conditions change.

The agency warned members of the public against attempting to walk, drive or ride through flooded roads, bridges and fast-flowing waterways, noting that such actions could expose people to potentially life-threatening situations.

It also urged residents and authorities to clear blocked drainage channels, culverts and river mouths to improve the flow of stormwater and reduce the risk of urban flooding.

NIHSA advised state governments, local authorities and members of the public to maintain continuous monitoring of flood conditions and follow updates contained in its daily and periodic advisories.

The latest alert comes amid Nigeria's annual rainy season, when rising river levels, intense rainfall and inadequate drainage infrastructure can combine to increase the risk of flooding in vulnerable communities.

With the advisory covering the period from July 21 to 27, authorities in the affected states are expected to intensify monitoring, strengthen early-warning systems and ensure that emergency response arrangements are in place to protect communities in flood-prone areas.