NEMA Urges States To Strengthen Measures In Mitigating Flooding. The Director General of NEMA, during a visit to Adamawa State, has urged state governments to strengthen measures in addressing flooding as experts predict flooding across 32 states during the 2026 rainy season.
KaNo —
The National Emergency Management Agency has urged state governments across the country to commence strategic measures towards preventing and mitigating flooding.
The call came after the agency’s predictions that over 30 states may experience serious flooding during the 2026 rainy season.
The call was issued in a statement by the Director General of NEMA,Zubaida Umar following a courtesy visit to Adamawa State on Wednesday.
According to the statement, Umar urged states to adopt preventive actions to mitigate the impact of the predicted floods.
NEMA Urges States To Strengthen Measures In Mitigating Flooding
The statement added that some of the measures to be taken by states include
“the reintroduction and enforcement of monthly environmental sanitation exercises, regular clearing of drainages and waterways, strengthening and supporting State Emergency Management Agencies as well as ensuring the inauguration and operational functionality of Local Emergency Management Committees at the grassroots” the statement reads
The NEMA boss also disclosed that the agency had developed the 2026 Climate-Related Risk Management, Preparedness, and Mitigation Framework in response to flood forecasts across the country.
“She added that through NEMA’s Flood Early Warning System, the Agency has identified flood risk profiles and produced vulnerability maps for at-risk communities across the country to support targeted disaster risk reduction planning by Federal, State, and Local Governments,” the statement reads
She further urged traditional institutions, religious organisations, women and youth groups, the media, and the private sector to support the agency in amplifying early warning messages and promoting community preparedness against flooding.
NEMA Urges States To Strengthen Measures In Mitigating Flooding
In his remark, The State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri commended NEMA for its proactive approach to disaster preparedness and response, particularly the early warning and sensitization campaigns ahead of the rainy season.
“Governor Fintiri assured that the Adamawa State Government would consider, review and implement the recommendations and advice provided by the DG NEMA to reduce the impact of flooding in the state” the statement reads
Fintiri also appreciated the interventions and support consistently provided by NEMA to Adamawa State during emergencies and disaster situations.
Participants at the event included staff of Adamawa and Taraba State Emergency Management Agencies, local government officials, representatives of stakeholder agencies, volunteers, and members of the media.
NEMA Urges States To Strengthen Measures In Mitigating Flooding
Nigeria experiences severe flooding almost every rainy season, with several states recording loss of lives, destruction of farmlands, displacement of residents and damage to infrastructure.
Flooding has been worsened by poor drainage systems, clogged waterways, climate change impacts and unplanned urban areas.
The Federal Government and emergency agencies have continued to intensify early warning campaigns and preparedness efforts to reduce the humanitarian and economic consequences of recurring floods across vulnerable communities.
Recent Flood
An unprecedented heavy rainfall had caused widespread destruction and flooding in parts of Jalingo, Taraba state, with the Mile Six axis emerging as one of the hardest hit areas after hours of relentless downpour in April 2026.
NEMA Urges States To Strengthen Measures In Mitigating Flooding
The rain, which began around 3:00 a.m., midnight persisted for several hours, overwhelming drainage systems and triggering severe flooding across multiple neighborhoods in the Taraba State capital.
Eyewitness accounts described rapidly rising water levels flowing through residential compounds, leaving trails of debris and significant material losses in their wake.
In an interview with Guardian Newspaper,residents expressed growing frustration, citing lingering unresolved issue of poor drainage infrastructure. Many noted that even moderate rainfall often results in flooding, but the latest incident has exposed the alarming scale of the problem.
“We are tired of this happening every year,” lamented one resident whose home was partially inundated. “The drainage systems here are either blocked or completely insufficient. Each time it rains heavily, we are at risk.” another resident said
NEMA Urges States To Strengthen Measures In Mitigating Flooding
Preliminary reports indicate extensive damage to household belongings, erosion of access paths, and structural impacts on several buildings. Beyond the physical destruction, community members are raising concerns over looming health hazards posed by stagnant floodwaters, warning of potential outbreaks of waterborne diseases if urgent action is not taken.
As the rainy season approaches,fears are mounting that without swift and decisive action, similar or more severe flooding could occur across states further worsening the humanitarian situation in the country.
NCDC Issues Health Advisory
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has issued a public health advisory, warning of a risk of cholera and other disease outbreak following flooding forecast in parts of the country.
The agency said flood predictions by the Federal Ministry of Environment and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) indicate that several states may experience heavy rainfall and flooding.
NEMA Urges States To Strengthen Measures In Mitigating Flooding
States listed as high-risk include Adamawa, Enugu, Kaduna, Kogi, Niger, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Taraba and Kwara.
NCDC warned that flooding could trigger outbreaks of cholera and other diarrhoeal diseases, as well as increase cases of malaria, infections from contaminated water, injuries and disruptions to healthcare services.
The agency also urged residents in affected areas to take preventive measures, including drinking only safe water, either boiled or treated,maintaining proper hand hygiene and avoiding contact with floodwaters.
It also advised proper food storage, improved sanitation practices and the use of insecticide-treated mosquito nets to reduce the risk of malaria.
