NIHSA Places 17 States on Flood Alert and Orders Immediate Evacuation

The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has placed 17 states on medium flood alert, warning that rising river levels have reached critical thresholds capable of triggering localised flooding.

In a National Flood Advisory issued on Tuesday and numbered NFA-2026-200, the agency urged state governments, emergency management authorities and residents of flood-prone areas to begin immediate evacuation from floodplains. The advisory runs from 21 to 27 July.

The agency said data from its nationwide monitoring network showed water levels had exceeded watch and warning thresholds at several stations, including Saminara on the Karam River, Waya Dam Site on the Waya River, and Amber on the Amber River.

Our hydrological monitoring network indicates that river stages at critical monitoring stations have exceeded watch and warning thresholds, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NIHSA, Umar Mohammed, said. Communities along the primary river channels face imminent localized flooding. We strongly advise state governments, local authorities and residents on floodplains to act immediately.

Bauchi, Edo, Imo, Kaduna, Plateau and Benue were named among the states facing elevated risk, with 11 others listed for heightened monitoring.

Bauchi carries the highest projected exposure. NIHSA put the number of communities at risk in the state at 1,841, alongside 145 schools, 101 health facilities and eight markets.

The agency also cautioned motorists and commuters against driving or walking through flooded roads and bridges, and called on authorities to clear blocked drainage channels and waterways to improve water flow.

Reported from THISDAY (https://www.thisdaylive.com/2026/07/22/nihsa-places-17-states-on-flood-alert-orders-immediate-evacuation-from-high-risk-communities/).