The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has said that 178 vulnerable communities in 28 local government areas of Kano State are at moderate risk of flooding.
The Director-General of NEMA, Mrs. 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, Government House, Kano.
Represented by the NEMA North-West Zonal Director, Alhaji Aliyu Shehu-Kafindangi, Umar said the campaign was part of NEMA’s nationwide efforts to strengthen disaster preparedness, enhance public awareness, and promote coordinated action aimed at protecting lives, livelihoods, and critical infrastructure during the 2026 rainy season.
She said forecasts by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) indicated that several parts of Kano State were vulnerable to flooding and related hazards during the rainy season.
She added that, “Our risk assessment has identified 28 local government areas in Kano State as being under moderate flood risk, with 178 communities requiring special attention and preparedness measures.”
She listed the affected local government areas as Ajingi, Bagwai, Bebeji, Bichi, Bunkure, Dala, Dawakin Kudu, Dawakin Tofa, Fagge, Gabasawa, Garun Malam, Gaya, and Gwale.
Other affected areas, she said, include Kabo, Karaye, Kiru, Kunchi, Gwarzo, Kura, Madobi, Rano, Rimin Gado, Sumaila, Takai, Tofa, Tudun Wada, Ungogo, and Warawa.
She noted that NEMA had developed the 2026 Climate-Related Risk Management, Preparedness and Mitigation Framework to address anticipated challenges.
She explained that, “The framework focuses on strengthening local emergency response capacity, conducting simulation exercises, and disseminating early warning information.
“Other measures include 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.”
The NEMA boss, therefore, urged residents of flood-prone areas 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 said.
Declaring the engagement open, Gov. Abba Kabir Yusuf, represented by Dr. Dahiru Muhammad Hashim, the Commissioner for Water Resources, Environment and Climate Change, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to flood control, environmental protection, and climate resilience.
He said the government had approved measures for the 2026 rainy season, including the clearance of drainage systems across the state, the distribution of tools to community-based groups, the removal of illegal structures obstructing waterways, and the planting of 10 million tree seedlings.
Kabir Yusuf said early warning systems remained among the most effective tools for protecting lives and property, urging stakeholders to ensure that climate and flood-related information reached vulnerable communities in local languages.
He said, “Disaster risk reduction is not the responsibility of government alone. It requires collective ownership, shared responsibility, and coordinated action.”
Alhaji Isyaku Abdullahi-Kubarachi, the Executive Secretary of the Kano State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), called for sustained collaboration among stakeholders to enhance public awareness, environmental sanitation, and proactive disaster management measures.
He commended the Head of Operations, NEMA Kano Office, Dr. Nura Abdullahi, and other partners for their support in strengthening disaster preparedness and response in the state.
A representative of NiMet, Mr. Abubakar Sani-Yahaya, said accurate and timely weather and climate information remained critical to building resilience, protecting lives, and supporting sustainable economic growth.
Sani-Yahaya urged stakeholders to ensure that climate information was effectively disseminated to grassroots communities to enhance preparedness and reduce disaster risks.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that representatives of federal and state government agencies, traditional and religious leaders, security agencies, the Nigeria Red Cross Society, NEMA, SEMA, and development partners, among others, attended the event.
