By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Correspondent
THE NIGERIA Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has issued a fresh flood alert for 198 local government areas across 32 states and the Federal Capital Territory, warning of high to very high flood risks between 7 and 21 August.
In an official statement referenced 32-25-003-06, NIHSA Director General, Umar Ibrahim, said the alert followed rising river levels and persistent rainfall across the country.
The agency cautioned that more than 100 communities and major transportation routes may face severe disruptions during the forecast period.
The states listed in the advisory include Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, the 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 NIHSA, a total of 198 LGAs and 832 communities are within the projected flood impact zone.
The agency noted that possible disruption of major transportation routes is anticipated, based on its colour-coded flood risk map.
NIHSA urged emergency management stakeholders to activate response protocols and advised that evacuation plans be put in place for communities at risk.
The agency also encouraged residents and stakeholders to follow weekly state-level and community-specific forecasts and to stay informed via the NIHSA flood dashboard and official social media platforms.
The alert, the agency stated, forms part of its continuing efforts to mitigate the effects of seasonal flooding, which in previous years has displaced thousands and damaged infrastructure nationwide.
Members of the public are advised to obtain further information and real-time updates from the official NIHSA website at www.nihsa.gov.ng or by scanning the QR code provided in the alert.
