Flood Alert: NEMA Warns Over 30 States, Urges Urgent Preparedness Measures

The Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency National Emergency Management Agency, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, has urged state governments across the country to adopt proactive measures to prevent and reduce the impact of flooding ahead of the 2026 rainy season.
She made the call during a courtesy visit to the Governor of Adamawa State, Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, in Yola, as part of activities marking the stakeholders’ engagement and the flag-off of the 2026 National Preparedness and Response Campaign on Flood Disaster and Related Hazards.
According to her, forecasts indicate that more than 30 states are at risk of serious flooding this year, making early preparedness essential.
She advised state governments to reintroduce and enforce monthly environmental sanitation exercises, regularly clear drainages and waterways, strengthen State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs), and ensure the establishment and effective operation of Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs) at the grassroots level.
Mrs. Umar also revealed that NEMA has developed the 2026 Climate-Related Risk Management, Preparedness and Mitigation Framework to coordinate national efforts aimed at reducing flood disasters.
She added that through the Agency’s Flood Early Warning System, flood risk profiles and vulnerability maps have been developed for communities considered highly vulnerable, to support preparedness planning at all levels of government.
The NEMA DG further called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth and women groups, the media, and the private sector to support awareness campaigns and help disseminate early warning messages to communities.
In response, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri commended NEMA for its proactive disaster preparedness efforts, especially its sensitisation and early warning campaigns ahead of the rainy season.
He assured that the Adamawa State Government would consider and implement the recommendations to reduce the impact of flooding in the state.
The governor also appreciated the agency for its continued support and interventions during emergencies and disaster situations in Adamawa State.
Mrs. Umar later addressed participants at the flag-off event, urging stakeholders to intensify efforts in raising awareness and strengthening community preparedness against flooding.
Participants included officials from Adamawa and Taraba State Emergency Management Agencies, local government representatives, volunteers, stakeholder agencies, and members of the media.