The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NiHSA) has raised a fresh nationwide flood alert, warning that 27 states are at high risk of riverine flooding over the next seven days as rising water levels threaten communities, farmlands and critical infrastructure across the country.

Director General and Chief Executive Officer of NiHSA, Umar Ibrahim Mohammed, issued the warning on Thursday, saying the agency’s latest hydrological forecast indicates a high flood risk between July 30 and August 5, 2026, with dozens of rivers approaching critical levels.

The agency disclosed that 53 key river monitoring stations are currently under close watch, with Katsina Ala River in Benue State, Aye River at Itoikin and the River Niger at Onitsha identified among the most vulnerable locations as water levels continue to rise.

Mohammed said states expected to experience significant impacts include Niger, Kaduna, Kwara, Delta, Kogi and Edo, alongside 21 other states, warning that flooding could inundate homes, schools, hospitals, markets, places of worship and thousands of hectares of farmland if urgent preventive measures are not implemented.

He urged 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 minimise the impact of the anticipated floods.

The NiHSA boss also advised residents of flood-prone communities to relocate to safer grounds where necessary, closely monitor official flood advisories, avoid driving or walking through flooded roads and fast-flowing rivers, clear blocked drainage channels, and support community-based early warning systems.

According to him, early preparedness remains the most effective strategy for reducing flood-related deaths, displacement and destruction of property.

He assured Nigerians that the agency would continue round-the-clock monitoring of river conditions across the country and issue timely forecasts and advisories to enable authorities and residents take informed decisions.

The renewed alert comes as Nigeria enters the peak of its annual flood season, a period that has historically witnessed widespread flooding, displacement of residents, destruction of infrastructure and heavy agricultural losses in several parts of the country.

The agency is urging vulnerable communities to act on the warnings before river levels reach critical thresholds.