Alert: Flood disaster to hit 30 states

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has called on state governments to intensify flood prevention measures ahead of the 2026 rainy season, warning that more than 30 states could experience severe flooding.

The appeal was made by NEMA Director-General, Zubaida Umar, during a courtesy visit and stakeholders’ engagement in Adamawa State, according to a statement issued on Wednesday night.

Umar urged governors and local authorities to move quickly to reduce the likely impact of flooding across vulnerable communities.

She advised states to revive monthly environmental sanitation exercises, clear blocked drains and waterways regularly, strengthen State Emergency Management Agencies, and ensure Local Emergency Management Committees are fully operational at the grassroots level.

According to the statement, NEMA has already developed a 2026 Climate-Related Risk Management, Preparedness and Mitigation Framework in response to flood forecasts nationwide.

The agency also said it had mapped flood-prone communities through its Flood Early Warning System to support disaster preparedness efforts by federal, state and local governments.

“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,” the statement said.

Umar further appealed to traditional rulers, religious bodies, youth and women groups, the media and the private sector to help spread early warning messages and encourage community preparedness.

Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, commended NEMA for its early warning campaigns and disaster preparedness efforts ahead of the rainy season.

“The Governor assured that the Adamawa State Government would carefully consider and implement the recommendations and advice provided by the DG NEMA to reduce the impact of flooding in the state,” the statement added.