The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has raised an alarm over potential flooding in 178 communities spread across 28 local government areas in Kano State during the upcoming rainy season in 2026. The warning came during a stakeholders’ meeting and the launch of the 2026 National Preparedness and Response Campaign held in Kano on Tuesday.
The campaign, with the theme ‘Strengthening Disaster Risk Governance for a Resilient Nigeria,’ underscores the need for proactive measures to mitigate climate-related disasters. Speaking on behalf of NEMA Director-General Zubaida Umar, Aliyu Shehu-Kafindangi, who serves as the North-West Zonal Director, explained that the alert is based on forecasts from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).
Shehu-Kafindangi emphasized that these communities urgently require enhanced emergency preparedness to minimize the impact of anticipated flooding. The affected local government areas include 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.
He also announced the introduction of NEMA’s 2026 Climate-Related Risk Management, Preparedness and Mitigation Framework. This framework focuses on strengthening local emergency response, conducting simulation exercises, sharing early warnings, pre-positioning relief materials, and assessing vulnerable infrastructure to ensure a coordinated response to potential disasters.
During the event, 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 enhancing resilience against climate-related hazards. Governor Yusuf highlighted several flood-control initiatives already underway, including the clearing of drainage channels, provision of maintenance tools to community volunteer groups, removal of illegal structures obstructing waterways, and a campaign to plant 10 million trees across the state.
He stressed the importance of ensuring that early warning messages reach grassroots communities effectively. To achieve this, he urged stakeholders to translate flood and climate information into local languages so that vulnerable populations can understand and act upon them. ‘Reducing disaster risks requires collective effort and coordination,’ Yusuf added, calling for collaboration among all stakeholders to build a safer and more resilient Kano.