NIHSA Issues Flood Advisory for 17 Nigerian States

The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) issued a seven-day flood advisory, warning of medium flood risks in 17 states from July 21 to July 27. This alert, communicated by NIHSA Director-General Umar Mohammed, follows rising water levels at key river monitoring stations, increasing the likelihood of localized flooding.

The affected states include Adamawa, Bauchi, Benue, Borno, Edo, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau, Taraba, Yobe, and Zamfara. Mohammed noted that river levels at several monitoring sites had exceeded warning thresholds, with 16 gauging stations nationwide recording elevated levels.

He urged state governments and local authorities to take immediate precautionary measures, including relocating residents and pre-positioning emergency supplies. Bauchi was identified as having the highest exposure, with 1,841 vulnerable communities.

The advisory follows a previous warning about potential flooding in 14 states and a broader alert from the Federal Ministry of Environment for 26 states and the Federal Capital Territory.