AS the rainy season gathers momentum, residents of Jigawa State are bracing themselves for potential floods that may devastate their homes and livelihoods.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has sounded the alarm, warning that some local government areas in the state are at high and moderate risk of flooding.
At a sensitization programme in Dutse, NEMA urged stakeholders to take proactive measures to mitigate the impact of floods.
“We cannot afford to be complacent,” said Nura Abdullahi, Territorial Coordinator of NEMA’s Kano Territorial Office. “We must work together to protect lives and properties.”
For Aisha Mohammed, a resident of Dutse, the warning is all too real. In 2022, her home was flooded, leaving her family displaced and without belongings.
“It was a traumatic experience,” she said. “I don’t want to go through that again.”
The Deputy Governor of Jigawa State, Aminu Usman, commended NEMA for its efforts and urged communities to heed the warning. “We must take responsibility for our safety,” he said.
As the state prepares for potential floods, residents are taking measures to protect themselves and their property.
“I’m sandbagging my house and moving my valuables to higher ground,” said Abubakar Suleiman, a resident of Birnin Kudu.
This newspaper reports that NEMA’s early warning strategies have been translated into Hausa to ensure that everyone understands the risks and takes necessary action.
