By Ijeoma AgbafoÂ
The Kaduna State Government has mobilised emergency agencies, development partners, humanitarian organisations and community institutions to strengthen flood preparedness following forecasts identifying the state as one of the high-risk areas for flooding during the 2026 rainy season.
The Executive Secretary of the Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency (KADSEMA), Mr Usman Mazadu, said the state had activated its 2026 Flood Emergency Operations and Response Strategic Team and Flood Tactical Response Team to coordinate preparedness and emergency response.
He added that flood risk assessments, public awareness campaigns and the training of Local Emergency Management Committees, Community Information Coordinators and Community Disaster Managers were ongoing across the 23 local government areas. Mazadu identified blocked drainage channels, indiscriminate refuse disposal, construction on waterways and river overflow as major causes of flooding.
He said KADSEMA was working closely with ministries, departments and agencies, as well as development partners, including UNICEF and Christian Aid, to improve disaster preparedness and response.
Christian Aid and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) have intensified flood awareness campaigns in vulnerable communities, churches and mosques, urging residents to heed weather forecasts, avoid flood-prone areas and support measures aimed at reducing disaster risks.
NEMA said its 2026 Climate-Related Risk Management Framework included emergency response training, simulation exercises, evacuation planning and the pre-positioning of relief materials. Also, a Senior Hydrologist with the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), Mr Yusuf Buto, warned that Kaduna would remain in the high flood-risk category throughout the rainy season.
He advised residents, particularly those living along River Kaduna, to relocate from vulnerable communities and comply with official early warning advisories to minimise the impact of flooding.
