NIHSA Warns 14 States of Medium Flood Risk This July

The Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), led by Director General Mr. Umar Mohammed, has issued a flood advisory warning 14 states of Nigeria about a medium flood risk expected from July 14 to July 20.

This advisory is based on the agency's latest hydrological forecast, which identifies potential flooding along major river channels monitored at 16 high-risk locations. The states affected include Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Edo, Enugu, Imo, Kaduna, Lagos, Niger, and Plateau.

The advisory highlights that severe local government areas, including schools, health facilities, and markets, could be impacted if precautionary measures are not taken. Mr.

Mohammed emphasized the importance of the annual flood outlook (AFO) in providing flood predictions and analyses of possible flood scenarios during the rainy season. He urged state governments and emergency management agencies to strengthen early warning systems, evacuation plans, and public awareness campaigns, and to identify critical locations such as the Saminaka Karam River and Waya Dam site.