By Tosin Kolade
The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has issued a fresh flood alert for 198 LGAs across 32 states and the FCT.
The Agency warned of high to very high flood risks between Aug. 7 and Aug. 21.
The alert, with reference No: 32-25-003-06, was issued by NIHSA Director General, Mr Umar Ibrahim, on Thursday, following rising river levels and persistent rainfall across the country.
NIHSA warned that over 100 communities and major transportation routes may experience severe disruptions during the forecast period.
The affected states include: Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, FCT, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, and Nasarawa.
Others are: Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, and Zamfara.
According to the Agency, a total of 198 LGAs and 832 communities fall within the projected flood impact zone.
“Possible disruption of major transportation routes is anticipated,” NIHSA stated, citing data from its colour-coded flood risk map.
The Agency urged emergency management stakeholders to activate their response protocols and advised that evacuation plans be put in place for communities at risk.
NIHSA also encouraged residents and stakeholders to follow its weekly state-level and community-specific forecasts, and to stay informed via the NIHSA flood dashboard and official social media platforms.
The alert is part of NIHSA’s ongoing efforts to mitigate the growing impact of seasonal flooding, which continues to displace thousands and damage infrastructure annually.
For more information and real-time updates, members of the public are advised to visit www.nihsa.gov.ng or scan the QR code featured on the official alert.
*People reluctant to vacate homes- NEMA, SEMA
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and its counterparts in Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu states said they have set up machineries to respond to the impending floods in the zone.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency have issued fresh warnings about possible flooding in about 19 states in the country and called for preparedness to prevent the disaster.
NAN reports that NEMA, the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), and other stakeholders have taken proactive measures, including sensitising the public across the zone on how to mitigate flooding if it happens.
In Anambra, the state government says it has set up about 16 Holding Centres for possible victims of flooding in the state.
Chief Paul Odenigbo, the Executive Secretary of Anambra State Emergency Management Agency (AnSEMA), told NAN that the centres were located in Ogbaru, Aguleri and Ifite Ogwari in Anambra East and Ayamelum Local Government Areas.
NAN reports that Anambra is one of the states exposed to flooding according to the prediction of NIMET and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NHSA).
Odenigbo said the Agency had continued to sensitise residents in the flood-exposed communities and trained local people on emergency response skills.
The Executive Secretary, who said the flood was imminent, expressed worry over the reluctance of the people to vacate their homes despite several warnings.
He, however, said that AnSEMA and NEMA were intensifying their partnership to reduce the negative impact of flooding on the people in riverine communities when it eventually happened.
Odenigbo said the four-day flood disaster response simulation exercise, codenamed “Ide Mmiri Odachi,” held at Naval Outpost in Ogbaru had sharpened the skills of personnel.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has also undertaken an assessment tour of the disaster-prone area.
Commandant Olatunde Maku, NSCDC, Anambra, urged residents in flood-prone communities in Anambra to begin to relocate to the uplands ahead of possible flooding and take proactive and precautionary measures.
He called for collaboration with traditional rulers, Presidents-General and other relevant stakeholders in disaster preparedness and management across the state.
In response to the anticipated flooding, key stakeholders in Ebonyi have also taken a proactive approach through stakeholder engagement.
Mr Clement Ovuoba, Executive Secretary of the Ebonyi State Emergency Management Agency, said that the measures were implemented through sensitisation campaigns and town hall meetings to educate residents on flood mitigation best practices.
Ovuoba, who is the Head of Administration representing the Agency, Mr Sunday Omoha, added that the public sensitisation featured raising awareness on flood risks, residents living in areas prone to flooding and near river lines should adhere to the advice to relocate to safer ground.
He highlighted some local governments that are easily submerged by flood, including Abakaliki, Izzi, Ikwo, Ebonyi, and Ivo.
In his remarks, the State Project Coordinator of the Nigerian and Watershed Management Project, Mr Philip Echiegu, urged residents of flood-prone areas to adhere to measures to mitigate the impact of flood disasters.
Echiegu stated that Iyiudele and Iyioku Rivers, which collect water into Ebonyi River, were targeted in the next project to enhance the waterway.
In response to the imminent flood, NEMA says it has conducted a joint flood preparedness simulation with State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs) in Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu States as part of efforts to mitigate possible flooding.
The Head of Operations at NEMA in Enugu, Mrs Ngozi Echeazu, told NAN in Enugu that the simulation was conducted in July in the Ogbaru council area of Anambra by NEMA, SEMAs officials, and other critical stakeholders.
According to Echeazu, the simulation and clear definitions of the roles of various agencies and specialised non-governmental organisations were proactive preparation measures given the 2025 Flood Prediction and early rainfall in the states.
The NEMA operations head said it had also sensitised LEMC officials/leaders on actions to take and to contact SEMA and NEMA immediately.
Echeazu stated that NEMA had conducted flood sensitisation in markets across Enugu metropolis and its three urban council areas to mitigate flash floods. Additionally, sensitisation efforts were made to the Amaechi-Idodo community in Enugu East LGA and two communities in Ezeagu LGA.
She stated that the Agency had also conducted selected sensitisation in Anambra, particularly in riverine and flood-prone communities, with the assistance of NEMA’s headquarters officials, as well as in communities in Ebonyi.
The head of operations revealed that the Nigerian Red Cross would be organising another flood preparedness simulation soon after a meeting with critical stakeholders to intensify response to any flooding disaster.
She, however, urged residents to ensure proper waste disposal; desilt drains and never empty refuse into drains and build structures on waterways, among other negative environmental habits.
Reacting, the Chairman of Enugu South LGA, Chief Caleb Ani, said the council had concluded its “Operation Open Drainages”, adding that the council deployed resources to ensure that major drainages and waterways were opened.
