THE National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has warned that no fewer than 178 vulnerable communities across 28 local government areas of Kano State face a moderate risk of flooding during the 2026 rainy season.
News Point Nigeria reports that the Director-General of NEMA, Zubaida Umar, disclosed this on Tuesday in Kano during a stakeholders’ engagement and the launch of the 2026 National Preparedness and Response Campaign (NPRC) on flood disasters and related hazards.
The campaign, themed “Strengthening Disaster Risk Governance for a Resilient Nigeria,” was held at the Coronation Hall of the Government House, Kano, and brought together representatives of government agencies, traditional and religious institutions, security organisations, humanitarian bodies and development partners.
Represented by the NEMA North-West Zonal Director, Aliyu Shehu-Kafindangi, Umar said the campaign forms part of the agency’s nationwide efforts to strengthen disaster preparedness, enhance public awareness and promote coordinated actions aimed at protecting lives, livelihoods and critical infrastructure during the rainy season.
She explained that forecasts by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) indicate that several parts of Kano State remain vulnerable to flooding and other related hazards.
According to her, NEMA’s risk assessment has identified 28 local government areas in the state as being under moderate flood risk.
She said, “Our risk assessment has identified 28 local government areas in Kano State as being under moderate flooding risk, with 178 communities requiring special attention and preparedness measures.”
The affected local government areas include Ajingi, Bagwai, Bebeji, Bichi, Bunkure, Dala, Dawakin Kudu, Dawakin Tofa, Fagge, Gabasawa, Garun Malam, Gaya and Gwale.
Others are Kabo, Karaye, Kiru, Kunchi, Ghari, Kura, Madobi, Rano, Rimin Gado, Sumaila, Takai, Tofa, Tudun Wada, Ungogo and Warawa.
Umar noted that NEMA has already developed the 2026 Climate-Related Risk Management, Preparedness and Mitigation Framework to tackle anticipated challenges associated with the rainy season.
She explained that the framework focuses on strengthening local emergency response capacity, conducting simulation exercises and ensuring the widespread dissemination of early warning information.
According to her, other components of the framework include the pre-positioning of relief materials and emergency equipment, assessment of critical infrastructure vulnerabilities and enhanced coordination among relevant stakeholders.
“Others are pre-positioning relief materials and emergency equipment, assessing critical infrastructure vulnerabilities and enhancing stakeholder coordination.
“Preparedness is far less costly than response. Therefore, all stakeholders must take ownership of disaster risk reduction efforts,” she said.
The NEMA Director-General also urged residents living in flood-prone communities to remain vigilant and comply with evacuation advisories whenever necessary.
“Through collective action, effective coordination, and community participation, we can significantly reduce the impact of flooding and other climate-related hazards,” she added.
Declaring the engagement open, Kano State Governor Abba Kabir-Yusuf, represented by the Commissioner for Water Resources, Environment and Climate Change, Dr Dahiru Muhammad-Hashim, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to flood control, environmental protection and climate resilience.
The governor disclosed that the state government had already approved a series of measures ahead of the 2026 rainy season.
These include the clearance of drainage systems across the state, the distribution of working tools to community-based groups, the removal of illegal structures obstructing waterways and the planting of 10 million tree seedlings.
Kabir-Yusuf stressed that early warning systems remain among the most effective tools for safeguarding lives and property, urging stakeholders to ensure that climate and flood-related information reaches vulnerable communities in languages they can easily understand.
“Disaster risk reduction is not the responsibility of government alone. It requires collective ownership, shared responsibilities and coordinated action,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of the Kano State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Alhaji Isyaku Abdullahi-Kubarachi, called for sustained collaboration among stakeholders to strengthen public awareness, environmental sanitation and proactive disaster management efforts.
He commended the Head of Operations of the NEMA Kano Office, Dr Nura Abdullahi, as well as other partners, for their continued support in enhancing disaster preparedness and response mechanisms in the state.
A representative of NiMet, Mr Abubakar Sani-Yahaya, underscored the importance of accurate and timely weather and climate information in building resilience, protecting lives and supporting sustainable economic growth.
Sani-Yahaya urged stakeholders to ensure that climate information is effectively disseminated to grassroots communities to improve preparedness and reduce disaster risks.
The event was attended by representatives of federal and state government agencies, traditional and religious leaders, security agencies, the Nigeria Red Cross Society, NEMA, SEMA and various development partners, among others.