The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NiHSA) has warned that 17 states across the country face a medium flood risk between July 21 and July 27, 2026, urging governments, emergency agencies and residents in vulnerable communities to take immediate precautionary measures to minimise potential loss of lives and property.
The warning was contained in the agency’s National Flood Advisory (Alert No. NFA-2026-200) issued on Tuesday, following hydrological assessments indicating rising water levels in several rivers and critical monitoring stations nationwide.
Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NiHSA, Mr Umar Mohammed, said the forecast identified Bauchi, Edo, Imo, Kaduna, Plateau and Benue among the states expected to experience flooding during the period, alongside 11 others.
According to Mohammed, the latest hydrological data revealed that water levels at key monitoring stations, including Saminara on the Karam River, Waya Dam Site on the Waya River and Amber on the Amber River, have exceeded established watch and warning thresholds, increasing the likelihood of localised flooding along major river channels and adjoining floodplains.
He disclosed that 16 hydrological gauging stations across the country have recorded elevated river stages, placing several communities at heightened risk of inundation.
“Our hydrological monitoring network indicates that river stages at critical monitoring stations have exceeded watch and warning thresholds. Communities located along these river channels face imminent localised flooding, and we strongly advise state governments, local authorities and residents in flood-prone areas to take immediate preventive action,” Mohammed said.
NiHSA’s impact assessment showed that Bauchi State has the highest level of exposure, with 1,841 communities, 145 schools, 101 health facilities and eight markets identified within areas vulnerable to flooding.
In Edo State, the agency identified 148 communities, 131 schools, 123 health facilities, four markets, seven religious centres and approximately seven hectares of farmland as being at risk.
The advisory also listed 415 communities, 423 schools, 198 health facilities, 49 markets, 111 religious centres and 75 hectares of farmland in Imo State as vulnerable to flooding, while Kaduna State has 168 communities, 16 schools, three health facilities and three religious centres within areas likely to be affected.
For Plateau State, NiHSA identified 205 communities, 137 schools, 44 health facilities, 16 markets, 81 religious centres and 64 hectares of farmland as susceptible to flooding, while Benue State has five communities, eight schools, two health facilities and four religious centres within the projected flood-risk zone.
The agency urged the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, State Emergency Management Agencies, SEMAs, local government authorities and community leaders to activate emergency response measures without delay.
Among its recommendations, NiHSA advised the immediate evacuation of residents, livestock and valuables from flood-prone communities to designated safe locations, while emergency agencies were urged to pre-position food supplies, medical equipment, potable water and other relief materials in vulnerable areas.
The agency also called for the activation of community-based early warning systems, continuous public sensitisation, regular clearing of blocked drainage channels and strict adherence to safety guidelines, warning residents against attempting to walk, drive or ride through flooded roads or fast-flowing water.
NiHSA further advised state governments and the public to monitor its daily flood forecasts and advisories to support timely decision-making and reduce the impact of anticipated flooding during the forecast period.