By Stella Odueme
The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NiHSA), Umar Ibrahim Mohammed, has raised fresh concerns over the growing risk of flooding across Nigeria, warning that 27 states could experience significant riverine flooding between July 30 and August 5, 2026.
The warning follows NiHSA’s latest hydrological forecast, which identified rising river levels capable of triggering floods in several vulnerable communities if urgent preventive measures are not taken.
According to the agency, 53 key river monitoring stations are currently under threat, with critical locations such as Katsina Ala on the Katsina Ala River, Itoikin on the Aye River and Onitsha on the River Niger being closely monitored due to rising water levels.
Mohammed said states expected to face the greatest impact include Niger, Kaduna, Kwara, Delta, Kogi and Edo, alongside 21 other states. He warned that the anticipated flooding could disrupt communities, damage schools and healthcare facilities, inundate markets and places of worship, and destroy farmlands.
The NiHSA boss called on state governments, local government councils, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs), traditional rulers and community leaders to immediately activate emergency response plans to reduce the impact of the predicted floods.
He also advised residents of flood-prone communities to relocate to safer locations where necessary, keep track of NiHSA’s flood advisories, stock emergency supplies, prepare evacuation centres, mobilise local early warning volunteers, avoid driving or walking through flooded roads and rivers, and ensure drainage systems are cleared to improve water flow.
Mohammed stressed that early preparedness and coordinated action remain the most effective strategies for reducing flood-related disasters, urging Nigerians to take official warnings seriously and cooperate with emergency response agencies.
He assured the public that NiHSA would continue to monitor river conditions across the country and issue timely flood forecasts and advisories to support informed decisions and protect lives, livelihoods and critical infrastructure.
