The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, NIHSA, has issued a National Flood Advisory forecasting a medium flood risk across 17 states between July 21 and July 27, 2026. The agency says localized inundations are imminent along key river channels and floodplains nationwide.

 
NIHSA Director General, Umar Ibrahim Mohammed, said river stages at critical monitoring points have exceeded watch and warning thresholds. He cited Saminara on the Karam River, Waya Dam Site on the Waya River, and Amber on the Amber River, adding that 16 gauging stations across the country are currently showing elevated water levels.

 
Affected states include Bauchi, Edo, Imo, Kaduna, Plateau, Benue and 11 others. Impact projections show thousands of communities, schools, health facilities, markets, religious centers and farmlands are exposed. For example, Bauchi has 1,841 communities at risk, while Imo has 423 schools and 198 health facilities within flood-prone areas.
 
The NIHSA DG urged state governments, local authorities and residents on floodplains to act immediately. He directed emergency management agencies, NEMA and SEMA, as well as community leaders, to begin immediate evacuation of residents, livestock and valuables to designated safe shelters.

Emergency response bodies have been asked to pre-position medical supplies, first-aid kits, water treatment materials and food in safe havens. The agency also called for the activation of early-warning volunteers and local communication channels to ensure rapid dissemination of alerts to vulnerable communities.

 
Citizens were warned not to walk, drive or ride through flooded roads, bridges or fast-flowing water. NIHSA also advised the clearing of blockages in drainage systems, culverts and river mouths to allow free flow of water and reduce the impact of flooding in urban and rural areas.

 
The agency said continuous monitoring by state actors and communities will be critical throughout the 7-day advisory period. NIHSA emphasized that proactive risk management and inter-agency coordination are necessary to protect lives, livelihoods and critical infrastructure during this period of heightened flood risk.