The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said 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 stakeholders’ engagement and launch of the 2026 National Preparedness and Response Campaign (NPRC) on flood disaster and related hazards.
The campaign, with the theme “Strengthening Disaster Risk Governance for a Resilient Nigeria”, was held at the Coronation Hall, Government House, Kano.
Represented by NEMA Northwest 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 actions aimed at protecting lives, livelihoods and critical infrastructure during the 2026 rainy season.
She said forecast 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 associated hazards during rainy season.
She added that “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.”
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 areas, she said, were Kabo, Karaye, Kiru, Kunchi, Ghari, 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.
“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.”
The NEMA boss, therefore, urged people living in flood-prone areas to be 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 drainage system clearance across the state, distribution of working tools to community-based groups, removal of illegal structures obstructing waterways and planting of 10 million tree seedlings.
Kabir-Yusuf said early warning systems remained one of the most effective tools for protecting lives and property, urging stakeholders to ensure climate and flood information reached vulnerable communities in local languages.
He said “disaster risk reduction is not the responsibility of government alone. It requires collective ownership, shared responsibilities 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 awareness, environmental sanitation and proactive disaster management measures.
He commended NEMA Head of Operations 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 the grassroots to enhance preparedness and reduce disaster risks.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that representatives of federal, state government agencies, traditional, religious leaders, security agencies, the Nigeria Red Cross Society, NEMA, SEMA, and development partners, among others, attended the event.
