Flood Threat: NEMA Begins 2026 Preparedness Campaign In Katsina

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has launched its 2026 National Preparedness and Response Campaign on flood and related hazards in Katsina State, as part of efforts to strengthen disaster risk governance ahead of the rainy season.

The stakeholders’ engagement and community outreach, held on Monday, brought together officials of the Katsina State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), ministries, departments and agencies, security agencies, humanitarian organisations, traditional institutions, women and youth groups, community representatives, and members of the media.

Speaking during the engagement, NEMA Director-General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, said the campaign was designed to promote early and coordinated action to safeguard lives and livelihoods during the rainy season.

Umar, who was represented by the agency’s Head of Operations, Suleiman Muhammad, said the theme of the campaign, “Strengthening Disaster Risk Governance for a Resilient Nigeria,” underscored the importance of strong institutions, proactive collaboration, and clearly defined responsibilities in disaster management.

She expressed concern over the recurring impact of flooding across the country, citing projections contained in the 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the 2026 Annual Flood Outlook by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).

According to her, both agencies had identified several states and local government areas as flood-prone in 2026.

Umar disclosed that NEMA had developed the 2026 Climate-Related Risk Management, Preparedness and Mitigation Framework to guide national response efforts.

“The framework focuses on reducing flood impact through capacity building, simulation exercises, infrastructure assessments, prepositioning of relief materials, and community evacuation planning,” she said.

Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the Katsina State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Binta Hussaini-Dangani, commended NEMA for the timely sensitisation programme.

She noted that flooding remained a recurring challenge in Katsina State and praised Governor Dikko Radda for supporting victims affected by previous flood disasters.

Hussaini-Dangani added that SEMA had already commenced sensitisation campaigns in vulnerable communities across the state ahead of the peak of the rainy season.

As part of the campaign, officials visited Kwanar Are community in Rimi Local Government Area for a public outreach exercise.

The community was selected due to its proximity to the Kwanar Are Dam, which authorities said had reached full capacity and could pose flood risks to surrounding communities.