NEMA warns of potential flooding in 178 Kano communities

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has warned that 178 communities in 28 local government areas of Kano State may face moderate flooding during the 2026 rainy season.

The warning was issued on Tuesday at a stakeholders’ meeting and the launch of the 2026 National Preparedness and Response Campaign in Kano.

The campaign is themed “Strengthening Disaster Risk Governance for a Resilient Nigeria.”

Speaking for NEMA Director‑General Zubaida Umar, the agency’s North‑West Zonal Director Aliyu Shehu‑Kafindangi said the alert is based on forecasts and assessments from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).

He added that the identified communities need urgent emergency preparedness measures to lessen the impact of potential flooding.

The affected local government areas are Ajingi, Bagwai, Bebeji, Bichi, Bunkure, Dala, Dawakin Kudu, Dawakin Tofa, Fagge, Gabasawa, Garun Malam, Gaya, Gwale, Kabo, Karaye, Kiru, Kunchi, Ghari, Kura, Madobi, Rano, Rimin Gado, Sumaila, Takai, Tofa, Tudun Wada, Ungogo and Warawa.

Shehu‑Kafindangi also announced that “NEMA has introduced the 2026 Climate‑Related Risk Management, Preparedness and Mitigation Framework, which focuses on strengthening local emergency response, conducting simulation exercises, sharing early warnings, positioning relief materials in advance and assessing vulnerable infrastructure.”

Opening the event, Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, represented by the Commissioner for Water Resources, Environment and Climate Change Dr Dahiru Muhammad‑Hashim, said the state government is committed to improving resilience against climate‑related disasters.

According to the governor, the state has already begun several flood‑control measures, including clearing drainage channels, providing maintenance tools to community volunteer groups, removing illegal structures that block waterways and launching a campaign to plant 10 million trees across Kano.

Yusuf stressed that early warning messages must reach people at the grassroots level to be effective.

He urged stakeholders to ensure flood and climate information is translated into local languages so vulnerable communities can understand and act on it, adding that reducing disaster risks requires collective effort and coordination.