The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NiHSA) has issued a flood warning as river levels continue to rise across parts of the country.
The affected states include Imo, Cross River, Ebonyi, Benue, Anambra and Kogi, among others. The agency said thousands of communities, schools, healthcare facilities, markets, places of worship and farmlands could be exposed.
Director-General/CEO Umar Ibrahim Mohammed urged residents and authorities in vulnerable areas to act before floodwaters rise. He said the early warning was meant to help communities protect lives and property rather than wait until the situation became dangerous.
“We urge communities living along riverbanks, floodplains and other vulnerable locations to take this warning seriously and act early,” he said. “Where necessary, people, livestock and valuable property should be moved to safer and higher ground before water levels become dangerous.”
Mohammed also asked state and local governments, emergency agencies and community leaders to strengthen preparedness, pre-position relief materials and identify safe shelters ahead of possible evacuations. He advised residents to monitor official flood alerts and avoid crossing flooded roads, bridges, rivers and fast-moving water.
NiHSA also called for blocked drainage channels and watercourses to be cleared where necessary. The agency said it will keep monitoring river levels and hydrological conditions at critical locations and issue further advisories.
