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The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has issued a seven-day National Flood Advisory warning of a medium flood risk across 17 states, including, Bauchi, Edo, Imo, urging governments, emergency agencies and residents in vulnerable communities to take immediate precautionary measures to avert loss of lives and property.
The advisory, tagged National Flood Alert No. NFA-2026-200, is effective from July 21 to July 27, 2026, and forecasts localized flooding along major river channels and floodplains as water levels continue to rise at critical monitoring stations across the country.
Speaking on the alert, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NIHSA, Umar Ibrahim Mohammed, said hydrological observations showed that river levels at key stations, including Saminara on the Karam River, Waya Dam Site on the Waya River and Amber on the Amber River, had exceeded both watch and warning thresholds.
He disclosed that 16 gauging stations within the national hydrometric network were currently recording elevated water levels, increasing the likelihood of localized flooding in surrounding communities.
"Our hydrological monitoring network indicates that river stages at critical monitoring stations have exceeded watch and warning thresholds. Communities along the primary river channels face imminent localized flooding, and we strongly advise state governments, local authorities and residents on floodplains to act immediately," Mohammed said.
According to the advisory, states expected to experience medium flood risk include Bauchi, Edo, Imo, Kaduna, Plateau and Benue, alongside 11 other states identified through NIHSA's flood forecasting and monitoring system.
The agency also released an assessment of communities and public infrastructure likely to be affected if flooding occurs.
In Bauchi State, about 1,841 communities, 145 schools, 101 health facilities and eight markets have been identified as being at risk.
In Edo State, the advisory listed 148 communities, 131 schools, 123 health facilities, four markets, seven religious centres and seven hectares of farmland as vulnerable to flooding.
For Imo State, the flood risk covers 415 communities, 423 schools, 198 health facilities, 49 markets, 111 religious centres and 75 hectares of farmland.
In Kaduna State, the agency identified 168 communities, 16 schools, three health facilities and three religious centres as potentially affected.
The advisory further showed that 205 communities, 137 schools, 44 health facilities, 16 markets, 81 religious centres and 64 hectares of farmland in Plateau State are at risk.
In Benue State, five communities, eight schools, two health facilities and four religious centres were listed among locations vulnerable to possible flooding.
To reduce the impact of the anticipated floods, NIHSA directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs), local government authorities and community leaders to immediately activate emergency response plans.
The agency advised that residents living on floodplains should be evacuated alongside their livestock and valuable belongings to designated safe shelters before water levels rise further.
It also called on emergency response agencies to pre-position food supplies, medical materials, first-aid equipment and water treatment facilities in strategic locations to ensure rapid humanitarian assistance where necessary.
NIHSA further urged communities to activate local early warning mechanisms, maintain constant communication with residents, and ensure blocked drains, culverts and river channels are cleared to improve water flow.
The agency warned members of the public against attempting to walk, drive or ride through flooded roads, bridges or fast-flowing water, stressing that such actions significantly increase the risk of fatalities.
It advised state governments, relevant agencies and residents to continue monitoring daily flood forecasts and updates issued by the agency as the peak of the rainy season approaches.