Flood Alert: Over 8,000 Communities, 4,500 Schools At Risk In 15 States

By Sabiu Abdullahi

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.

The warning was issued by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NiHSA) in its latest National Flood Advisory released on Saturday.

According to the advisory, rising river levels could cause flooding in vulnerable areas and threaten schools, healthcare centres, markets, religious buildings and farmlands.

The agency’s Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Arch Umar Mohammed, urged state governments to take immediate steps to move residents in high-risk communities to safer locations.

“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.

“Communities on the floodplain should prepare to move to higher ground. Stations include Obubra, Itigidi and Epento on the Cross River.”

The 15 states listed in the advisory are Imo, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Benue, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Edo, Enugu, Bayelsa, Kogi, Abia, Taraba, Rivers and Lagos.

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 risk.

Cross River State was also listed among the areas facing significant flood threats, with Abi, Akamkpa, Akpabuyo, Biase, Calabar, Calabar South, Ikom and Obubra LGAs identified.

NiHSA said 2,471 communities, 703 schools, 344 healthcare facilities, 145 markets, 453 religious buildings and 854 hectares of farmland were at risk in the state.

In Ebonyi, the affected areas include Abakaliki, Afikpo, Afikpo South, Ebonyi, Ezza North and Ezza South LGAs.

The agency listed 2,574 communities, 1,064 schools, 422 healthcare facilities, 480 markets, 629 religious buildings and 1,882 hectares of farmland as exposed.

For Benue State, Buruku, Gboko, Guma, Katsina-Ala, Logo and Ukum LGAs were identified as vulnerable. The advisory put the number of exposed communities at 303, with 100 schools, 48 healthcare facilities, 32 markets, 151 religious buildings and 55 hectares of farmland also at risk.

In Anambra State, Aguata, Anambra East, Anambra West, Anaocha, Awka North, Awka South and Ayamelum were listed among the affected LGAs.

NiHSA said 1,314 communities, 1,308 schools, 1,089 healthcare facilities, 280 markets, 610 religious buildings and 1,529 hectares of farmland could be affected.

Akwa Ibom was also included in the warning, with Abak, Eket, Etinan, Ibeno, Ibesikpo Asutan, Ibiono Ibom, Ika and Ikono LGAs identified.

The agency reported that 249 communities, 323 schools, 211 healthcare facilities, 74 markets and 289 religious buildings were exposed to possible flooding in the state.

NiHSA advised residents in flood-prone areas, particularly those living on floodplains, to take precautionary measures and relocate to higher ground where necessary.