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, following warnings of rising river levels across vulnerable areas.
The National Flood Advisory issued by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency identified Imo, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Benue, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Edo, Enugu, Bayelsa, Kogi, Abia, Taraba, Rivers and Lagos among the affected states.
The agency warned that rising river stages could trigger flooding in communities located on floodplains, potentially affecting schools, healthcare facilities, markets, religious buildings and farmlands.
NiHSA Director-General, Arch Umar Mohammed, urged state governments to take early action, including relocating residents in highly vulnerable communities to safer locations.
The advisory identified particularly significant exposure in Ebonyi, Cross River and Anambra. Ebonyi has 2,574 communities and 1,064 schools within identified risk areas, while Cross River has 2,471 communities and 703 schools. Anambra has 1,314 communities and 1,308 schools exposed.
Residents in flood-prone areas were advised to avoid crossing flooded roads and waterways and move to higher ground where necessary.
The latest warning comes amid continued heavy rainfall and flooding incidents reported in several parts of the country.
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