NEMA warns of heavy rains, flooding in 28 Kano LGs

Wednesday, June 3, 2026 -The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has warned that 178 communities across 28 local government areas of Kano State could experience moderate flooding during the 2026 rainy season.

The agency made the announcement 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 on behalf of NEMA Director-General Zubaida Umar, the agency’s North-West Zonal Director, Aliyu Shehu-Kafindangi, said the warning is based on forecasts and assessments by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).

He said the identified communities require urgent emergency preparedness measures to reduce the impact of possible 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.

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 blocking 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.