The governments of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states have activated response strategies and evacuation plans to mitigate the impact of anticipated flooding in vulnerable communities.
The measures follow forecasts by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, which warned of possible flooding in parts of the three states during the rainy season.
In Borno State, the Director of Administration, State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Hajiya Yagana Ali-Abadam, said the government had constituted a flood preparedness committee comprising relevant stakeholders.
She listed the stakeholders as the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Borno State Environmental Protection Agency (BOSEPA) and the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS).
According to her, the initiative forms part of a broader disaster risk reduction strategy aimed at minimising the impact of flooding across the state.
Ali-Abadam said residents of flood-prone communities in Dikwa had recently been relocated to safer shelters to reduce their exposure to recurring seasonal floods.
She added that the agency was currently distributing food items and other relief materials to victims of previous floods in Kala Balge, an area frequently affected by flooding linked to water releases from neighbouring Cameroon.
The director said extensive drainage clearance had also been carried out in Maiduguri to prevent blockage of waterways and improve water flow during heavy rainfall.
She identified Ajilari Cross, Kopa and Bulumkutu-Dala as some of the state’s most vulnerable flood-prone areas.
“Ajilari Cross, Kopa and Bulumkutu-Dala remain some of the most vulnerable areas during the rainy season.
“We are currently expanding drainage systems and clearing blocked waterways to reduce the impact of flooding,” she said.
Ali-Abadam added that public sensitisation campaigns were ongoing through media engagements and community outreach programmes.
In Yobe State, the Director of Search and Rescue Operations at the State Emergency Management Agency, Dr Ibrahim Jalo, said the agency had deployed real-time river monitoring systems and digital community reporting platforms in flood-prone communities.
“We have also identified safe locations for timely evacuation in case flooding occurs in high-risk areas,” he said.
Jalo said the agency had engaged security agencies, government ministries, organisations of persons with disabilities and humanitarian partners to strengthen emergency response efforts.
He added that Local Government Area Early Warning and Action Committees had been activated and trained to improve grassroots disaster response.
According to him, the state government has directed the agency to prepare relief materials for 50,000 households and food supplies for an additional 10,000 households.
He said 7,400 sandbags had also been earmarked for embankment projects in vulnerable communities.
Jalo added that emergency response materials had been strategically positioned in Damaturu, Potiskum and Geidam to facilitate rapid deployment during emergencies.
He identified Gujba, Damaturu, Bursari, Geidam, Yunusari, Fika, Potiskum, Jakusko, Bade, Gulani, Karasuwa and Machina as high-risk flood areas.
The official urged residents to pay attention to early warning alerts and cooperate with emergency officials during evacuation exercises.
In Adamawa State, the Executive Secretary of the Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency (ADSEMA), Dr Celine Laori, said Flood Response Committees had been activated across the state’s 21 local government areas.
She added that desilting of major water channels was ongoing in Yola North, Yola South and Jimeta to improve drainage and reduce flood risks.
Laori identified Fufore, Yola South, Girei, Yola North, Demsa, Numan and Lamurde as areas at high risk of flooding.
According to her, safe evacuation locations have already been designated in each of the identified communities.
On public awareness, she said the agency was working with radio stations to broadcast flood preparedness messages in Hausa, Fulfulde and other local languages, while town hall meetings were being held in affected areas.
“We are telling people to avoid building on waterways, clear their drainages, and relocate early when they receive warnings. Early warning is key to saving lives,” she said.
Laori added that the agency had procured relief materials, including food items, tents, mattresses and medicines, to support emergency response operations if flooding occurs.
