The Nigeria Hydrological Service Agency, NIHSA, has issued a medium flood advisory for 12 states following rising flood risks.
The affected states are Adamawa, Bauchi, Edo, Imo, Enugu, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Kaduna, Plateau, Niger, Benue, and Borno.
NIHSA said the advisory covers the next seven days and is based on current water levels, rainfall predictions, and river flow patterns across the country.
The agency announced the advisory through information posted on its X handle, warning that localised inundation was forecast along the main channel, with named communities sitting on the projected footprint.
NIHSA identified Saminara on the Karam river, Waya Dam Site on the Waya River, and Amber on the Amber River as stations linked to the forecast.
It also listed Lemsa, Lamurde, and Numan in Adamawa State, with exposure involving 147 communities, 49 schools, 40 health facilities, six markets, and 17 religious centres.
Bauchi State locations affected include Bauchi, Ningi, and Shira, while Kaduna State locations listed include Chikun, Giwa, Igabi, Jaba, Jema’a, Kachia, Kaura, Kauru, and six more areas.
It further added Gubio and Mobbar in Borno State, with exposure involving 680 communities, eight schools, six health facilities, five markets, and 21 religious centres.
Affected locations in Edo State include Akoko Edo, Etsako East, Etsako West, Ikpoba Okha, Orhionmwon, Ovia North, and Ovia South, with exposure involving three communities, adding that Aboh Mbaise, Oguta, Ohaji/Egbema, Okigwe, Owerri North, and Owerri West in Imo State were affected, with seven more states and severity levels of local government areas also listed.
Then, NIHSA advised residents in affected areas not to cross flooded roads, bridges, or fast-moving water on foot or by vehicle.
“Clear drainage channels and river mouth blockages; avoid building or living in the floodplain and move people, livestock and valuables from the floodplain to pre identified higher ground,” NIHSA stated.
