Precious Nwonu, Enugu
The Federal Government has warned that more than 8,000 communities and 4,500 schools across 15 states could be affected by flooding between September 19 and 25.
The warning was contained in the latest National Flood Advisory issued by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency on Saturday.
NiHSA Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Arch Umar Mohammed, said rising river levels were expected to increase the risk of flooding in vulnerable communities, particularly those located on floodplains.
The agency listed Imo, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Benue, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Edo, Enugu, Bayelsa, Kogi, Abia, Taraba, Rivers and Lagos as the states covered by the advisory.
According to NiHSA, the expected flooding could affect residential communities as well as schools, healthcare facilities, markets, religious centres and farmlands.
Mohammed urged state governments to take immediate preventive measures, including relocating residents living in high-risk areas to safer locations.
“High riverine flood risk is forecast for the next seven days across Imo, Cross River and 13 other states,” he said.
He added that rising river stages could cause flooding, advising communities on floodplains to prepare for possible movement to higher ground.
NiHSA specifically identified river monitoring stations around Obubra, Itigidi and Epento in Cross River State as areas requiring close attention.
In Imo State, the affected local government areas are Aboh-Mbaise, Ahiazu-Mbaise, Ehime Mbano, Ezinihitte, Ideato North, Ihitte/Uboma and Ikeduru.
The agency said 958 communities, 1,022 schools, 553 healthcare facilities, 161 markets and 198 religious buildings could be exposed in the state.
Cross River has eight affected LGAs, namely Abi, Akamkpa, Akpabuyo, Biase, Calabar, Calabar South, Ikom and Obubra.
NiHSA estimated that 2,471 communities, 703 schools, 344 healthcare facilities and 145 markets are exposed in the state. It also identified 453 religious buildings and 854 hectares of farmland as vulnerable.
In Ebonyi, the affected areas include Abakaliki, Afikpo, Afikpo South, Ebonyi, Ezza North and Ezza South local government areas.
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 to possible flooding.
For Benue State, Buruku, Gboko, Guma, Katsina-Ala, Logo and Ukum LGAs were identified as vulnerable.
NiHSA said 303 communities, 100 schools, 48 healthcare facilities, 32 markets, 151 religious buildings and 55 hectares of farmland were at risk.
In Anambra, the affected local government areas are Aguata, Anambra East, Anambra West, Anaocha, Awka North, Awka South and Ayamelum.
The agency identified 1,314 communities, 1,308 schools, 1,089 healthcare facilities, 280 markets, 610 religious buildings and 1,529 hectares of farmland as exposed.
In Akwa Ibom, Abak, Eket, Etinan, Ibeno, Ibesikpo Asutan, Ibiono Ibom, Ika and Ikono were listed among the vulnerable local government areas.
NiHSA estimated that 249 communities, 323 schools, 211 healthcare facilities, 74 markets and 289 religious buildings could be affected.
The agency urged residents in flood-prone communities to remain alert, follow official warnings and avoid remaining in vulnerable areas as river levels rise.
It also advised residents living on floodplains to relocate to higher ground where necessary and encouraged state authorities to activate their emergency response measures ahead of the forecast period.
