Flood Alert: NEMA Pushes Emergency Measures as 30 States Face High Risk

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has intensified consultations with state governments ahead of the 2026 rainy season following forecasts that about 30 states may experience moderate to severe flooding.

Director General of NEMA, Zubaida Umar, disclosed this during a visit to Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, at the Government House in Yola as part of ongoing nationwide flood preparedness engagements.

She said the agency was stepping up collaboration with governors and other stakeholders to ensure early preventive measures are put in place before the peak of the rainy season.

According to her, projections for 2026 indicate that several states across the country remain vulnerable to flooding, making proactive intervention necessary to avoid a repeat of previous disasters.

Mrs Umar warned that disaster management must move beyond emergency response to stronger preventive strategies aimed at reducing risks and protecting vulnerable communities.

“About 30 states across the federation fall within moderate and high flood-risk zones, and this requires urgent and coordinated action from all levels of government,” she said.

The NEMA boss noted that experiences from previous flood disasters had shown that delayed response often leads to massive destruction of homes, displacement of residents, loss of farmlands and outbreaks of diseases.

She urged state governments to immediately begin practical measures capable of reducing the impact of flooding before heavy rainfall intensifies.

Among the measures recommended were regular clearing and desilting of drainage systems and waterways, enforcement of environmental sanitation exercises, strengthening of State Emergency Management Agencies and activation of Local Emergency Management Committees at the grassroots.

Umar identified blocked drainage channels, indiscriminate waste disposal and weak emergency structures at local levels as major causes of recurring floods in many communities.

She stressed the importance of community-based preparedness, saying effective disaster response starts at the local level through proper sensitisation, early warning systems and coordinated evacuation plans.

According to her, empowering Local Emergency Management Committees would improve rapid response efforts and reduce humanitarian losses during emergencies.

The NEMA Director General also called for stronger cooperation among federal and state authorities, traditional rulers, environmental agencies, humanitarian organisations and community leaders in tackling the anticipated flood threats.

She commended the Adamawa State Government for its willingness to collaborate with the agency on disaster risk reduction efforts.

Responding, Governor Fintiri assured the NEMA delegation that the state government would swiftly implement the recommendations and strengthen preventive measures across vulnerable communities.

The governor acknowledged the seriousness of the flood forecasts and pledged continued partnership with NEMA and other agencies to protect lives, property and critical infrastructure.

He also promised increased public sensitisation and improved emergency response coordination ahead of the peak rainfall season.

The Yola meeting forms part of NEMA’s broader nationwide consultations aimed at improving Nigeria’s resilience against climate-related disasters expected during the 2026 rainy season.