The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has issued a medium flood risk alert for 17 states, warning that several communities may experience localised flooding between July 21 and July 27, 2026, due to rising water levels in major rivers.
The warning was contained in the agency’s latest National Flood Advisory, which indicated that water levels recorded at several hydrological monitoring stations have surpassed critical thresholds, increasing the risk of flooding in vulnerable areas.
According to NIHSA Director-General Umar Mohammed, monitoring data revealed that river levels at Saminara on the Karam River, Waya Dam Site on the Waya River, and Amber on the Amber River have exceeded warning limits. He also disclosed that 16 gauging stations across the country are currently recording unusually high water levels.
He cautioned that communities located along major river channels and floodplains could face imminent flooding and urged state governments, local authorities and residents to implement proactive safety measures, including timely evacuations and coordinated emergency response plans.
Among the states identified as facing medium flood risk are Bauchi, Edo, Imo, Kaduna, Plateau and Benue.
In Bauchi State, the agency said 1,841 communities, 145 schools, 101 health facilities and eight markets are at risk of flooding. Edo State has 148 vulnerable communities, along with 131 schools, 123 health facilities, four markets, seven religious centres and seven hectares of farmland.
The advisory also listed 415 communities in Imo State as vulnerable, including 423 schools, 198 health facilities, 49 markets, 111 religious centres and 75 hectares of farmland. Kaduna State could see flooding affect 168 communities, 16 schools, three health facilities and three religious centres.
Plateau State is expected to face possible flooding in 205 communities, 137 schools, 44 health facilities, 16 markets, 81 religious centres and 64 hectares of farmland, while Benue State has five communities, eight schools, two health facilities and four religious centres identified as being at risk.
To reduce the potential impact of the flooding, NIHSA directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs), local government authorities and community leaders to activate emergency preparedness measures without delay.
The agency also recommended the immediate evacuation of residents, livestock and valuable property from flood-prone areas, the pre-positioning of food, clean water, medical supplies and water treatment equipment, as well as the activation of community-based early warning systems to protect lives and property.
