More than 8,000 communities and 4,500 schools across 15 states have been identified as vulnerable to flooding over the next seven days, with authorities warning residents in flood-prone areas to prepare for possible evacuation.
The alert, covering September 19 to 25, was contained in the latest National Flood Advisory issued by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency. The agency said rising river levels could cause flooding in vulnerable communities, potentially affecting schools, healthcare facilities, markets, religious buildings and farmlands.
The states listed in the advisory are Imo, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Benue, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Edo, Enugu, Bayelsa, Kogi, Abia, Taraba, Rivers and Lagos. Brandspur Brand News reports that the agency has urged state authorities to move residents living in exposed locations to safer areas where necessary.
NiHSA Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Arch Umar Mohammed, said communities located on floodplains should be prepared to relocate to higher ground as river stages rise. He specifically identified stations including Obubra, Itigidi and Epento in Cross River State as areas requiring attention.
In Imo State, the agency identified seven local government areas, including Aboh-Mbaise, Ahiazu-Mbaise, Ehime Mbano and Ikeduru, as vulnerable. It said 958 communities, 1,022 schools, 553 healthcare facilities, 161 markets and 198 religious buildings were exposed.
Cross River recorded one of the larger areas of exposure, with 2,471 communities, 703 schools, 344 healthcare facilities, 145 markets, 453 religious buildings and 854 hectares of farmland identified across eight local government areas.
The advisory also placed six local government areas in Ebonyi State at risk, with 2,574 communities, 1,064 schools, 422 healthcare facilities, 480 markets, 629 religious buildings and 1,882 hectares of farmland listed as exposed.
In Benue, the affected areas include Buruku, Gboko, Guma, Katsina-Ala, Logo and Ukum. NiHSA identified 303 communities, 100 schools, 48 healthcare facilities, 32 markets, 151 religious buildings and 55 hectares of farmland as vulnerable.
Seven local government areas in Anambra were also listed, including Anambra East, Anambra West, Awka North and Awka South. The agency recorded exposure involving 1,314 communities, 1,308 schools, 1,089 healthcare facilities, 280 markets, 610 religious buildings and 1,529 hectares of farmland.
Akwa Ibom’s listed locations include Abak, Eket, Etinan, Ibeno, Ibesikpo Asutan, Ibiono Ibom, Ika and Ikono. Across those areas, 249 communities, 323 schools, 211 healthcare facilities, 74 markets and 289 religious buildings were identified as exposed.
NiHSA advised residents, particularly those living on floodplains and in other flood-prone locations, to take precautionary measures and relocate to higher ground where necessary as the forecast period continues.
