The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has identified 178 vulnerable communities across 28 local government areas of Kano State as facing a moderate risk of flooding during the 2026 rainy season.
The agency disclosed this on Tuesday during a stakeholders’ engagement workshop and the launch of the 2026 National Preparedness and Response Campaign (NPRC) held at the Coronation Hall, Government House, Kano.
Speaking on behalf of NEMA Director-General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, the agency’s North-West Zonal Director, Aliyu Shehu-Kafindangi, said the warning was based on forecasts and risk assessments by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).
He said the assessment showed that 178 communities in 28 local government areas were vulnerable to flooding and required urgent preparedness measures to minimise potential losses.
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 said NEMA had introduced the 2026 Climate-Related Risk Management, Preparedness and Mitigation Framework to strengthen disaster preparedness nationwide.
According to him, the framework focuses on enhancing local emergency response capacity, conducting simulation exercises, improving early warning dissemination, pre-positioning relief materials and assessing vulnerable infrastructure.
The workshop, themed “Strengthening Disaster Risk Governance for a Resilient Nigeria,” forms part of NEMA’s nationwide campaign aimed at increasing public awareness and fostering collaboration among stakeholders on disaster risk reduction.
Declaring the event 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 mitigating the impact of flooding and other climate-related disasters.
He said the government had already commenced a series of preventive measures, including the clearing of drainage channels, distribution of maintenance tools to community volunteer groups, demolition of structures obstructing waterways and a statewide campaign to plant 10 million tree seedlings.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the Kano State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Alhaji Isyaku Abdullahi-Kubarachi, called for stronger collaboration among government agencies, community groups and development partners to tackle flood risks.
Earlier, a representative of NiMet, Mr Abubakar Sani-Yahaya, underscored the importance of timely weather forecasts, urging stakeholders to ensure that climate information reaches rural communities to safeguard lives, property and livelihoods.
