The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NiHSA) has issued a seven-day flood advisory, warning of high riverine flood risks across 15 states between September 19 and 25, 2026.

The agency urged residents living in vulnerable communities, particularly those on floodplains, to take precautionary measures and move to safer and higher ground where necessary.

The warning was contained in NiHSA’s National Flood Advisory issued on Saturday by its Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Arch Umar Mohammed.

Mohammed said rising river levels were expected to trigger flooding in several communities, potentially affecting schools, healthcare facilities, markets, farms and religious buildings.

He called on state governments in affected areas to urgently relocate residents living in vulnerable communities ahead of the forecast.

He said, “High riverine flood risk is forecast for the next seven days across Imo, Cross River and 13 other states. Rising river stages are expected to cause flooding. Communities on the floodplain should prepare to move to higher ground. Stations include Obubra, Itigidi and Epento on the Cross River.”

In Imo State, the agency identified Aboh-Mbaise, Ahiazu-Mbaise, Ehime Mbano, Ezinihitte, Ideato North, Ihitte/Uboma and Ikeduru Local Government Areas as areas at risk.

According to NiHSA, 958 communities, 1,022 schools, 553 healthcare facilities, 161 markets and 198 religious buildings are exposed in the state.

For Cross River State, the affected areas include Abi, Akamkpa, Akpabuyo, Biase, Calabar, Calabar South, Ikom and Obubra local government areas.

The agency listed 2,471 communities, 703 schools, 344 healthcare facilities, 145 markets, 453 religious buildings and 854 hectares of farmland as exposed to the flood risk in the state.

In Ebonyi State, Abakaliki, Afikpo, Afikpo South, Ebonyi, Ezza North and Ezza South were identified as vulnerable local government areas.

NiHSA said the affected areas include 2,574 communities, 1,064 schools, 422 healthcare facilities, 480 markets, 629 religious buildings and 1,882 hectares of farmland.

In Benue State, Buruku, Gboko, Guma, Katsina-Ala, Logo and Ukum local government areas were listed as vulnerable, with 303 communities, 100 schools, 48 healthcare facilities, 32 markets, 151 religious buildings and 55 hectares of farmland exposed.

The agency also identified Aguata, Anambra East, Anambra West, Anaocha, Awka North, Awka South and Ayamelum local government areas in Anambra State as being at risk.

It reported that 1,314 communities, 1,308 schools, 1,089 healthcare facilities, 280 markets, 610 religious buildings and 1,529 hectares of farmland are exposed in the affected areas.

In Akwa Ibom State, the affected local government areas are Abak, Eket, Etinan, Ibeno, Ibesikpo Asutan, Ibiono Ibom, Ika and Ikono.

NiHSA identified 249 communities, 323 schools, 211 healthcare facilities, 74 markets and 289 religious buildings as exposed in the state.

Other states listed in the seven-day flood advisory are Edo, Bayelsa, Enugu, Kogi, Delta, Abia, Taraba, Rivers and Lagos.

NiHSA advised residents in flood-prone communities, especially those located along floodplains, to remain alert, take necessary precautions and relocate to higher ground where required.