By Oluwakemi Kindness
The National Emergency Management Agency has urged state governments to begin urgent measures to prevent flooding as forecasts predict that more than 30 states could experience severe flooding during the 2026 rainy season.
The call was made during a courtesy visit by NEMA Director-General, Zubaida Umar, to Governor Ahmadu Fintiri in Adamawa State.
Umar said states should immediately adopt preventive actions such as clearing drainages and waterways, enforcing monthly environmental sanitation, strengthening State Emergency Management Agencies, and activating Local Emergency Management Committees at the grassroots.
She also revealed that NEMA has developed a 2026 Climate-Related Risk Management, Preparedness and Mitigation Framework to tackle flood risks across the country.
The NEMA boss explained that through NEMA’s Flood Early Warning System, the agency has mapped vulnerable communities and identified flood risk areas to support disaster planning by federal, state, and local governments.
Umar further called on traditional rulers, religious bodies, youth and women groups, the media, and the private sector to help spread early warning messages and encourage community preparedness.
Responding, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri commended NEMA’s proactive efforts, especially its sensitisation campaigns ahead of the rainy season.
He assured that the Adamawa State Government would consider and implement the agency’s recommendations to reduce flood impact in the state.
Nigeria records severe flooding almost every rainy season, leading to deaths, displacement, destruction of farmlands, and damage to infrastructure in several communities.
