North-eastern states, agencies intensify flood preparedness in earnest – NAN Survey 

North-eastern states, agencies intensify flood preparedness in earnest – NAN Survey 

Indication emerged that emergency agencies and governments in the north-eastern states of Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe have stepped up preventative measures and response strategies to shield residents from eminent flooding.

A survey by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in the zone revealed that the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs) were on top of the situation.

Mr Sirajo Aliyu, the NEMA’s Zonal Coordinator, told NAN in Maiduguri everything about the agency’s multi-layered approach.

“We have ramped up our monitoring and early warning systems across key flood-prone districts such as Fori, Gwange, the Baga Road corridor, and areas within the Government Reserved Areas (GRAs).

“Our teams conduct daily on-site assessments and collaborate with the Chad Basin Development Authority to track water levels, which are currently stable,” the zonal coordinator said.

He said that the current water levels were reportedly within manageable limits, adding that the agency remained on high alert.

“We have established 24/7 monitoring stations and maintained constant communication with community leaders to ensure real-time information is being exchanged,” Aliyu said.

The zonal coordinator said preventive measures, such as clearing blockages in drainage channels and ensuring residents do not dump refuse into water pathways, were being actively promoted.

Mr Ladan Ayuba, Head of Operations, NEMA Yola Operation Office, reaffirmed the agency’s support through ongoing training, sensitisation campaigns, and supply of relief materials.

He said the agency on the 31st of July, handed over relief items comprising of food and non-food to the Adamawa government for distribution to those affected by the recent floods.

Ayuba said that the disaster management was a collective responsibility and residents must heed early warnings and evacuate when instructed, to minimise casualties.

Also speaking, Dr Celine La’ori, the Executive Secretary, Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency (ADSEMA), said the agency, in partnership with NEMA, had launched a state-wide sensitisation campaign targeting residents in flood prone areas.

La’ori said the importance of early warning systems, timely evacuation, and community engagement in disaster preparedness cannot be overemphasised.

“Our objective is to provide vulnerable communities with the knowledge and tools needed to take action before disaster strikes,” she said,

The executive secretary said the 2025 seasonal climate prediction by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), listed several parts of the state as high-risk zones.

La’ori urged traditional leaders, women’s groups, and youth associations to actively support local disaster risk reduction efforts in the state.

In Borno, Malam Ali Isa, the Director General of SEMA, provided a detailed update on recent flooding incidents.

“Certain local government areas, including Biu, Maiduguri and Damboa, have already experienced flooding due to heavy rainfall,” he said.

Isa said that SEMA had responded swiftly by distributing relief aid to the displaced families.

“The state government has provided food, non food items and cash support to those affected,” he added.

The director general, however, warned residents to adhere to safety protocols.

“Those living in low-level areas must remain vigilant. We call on everyone to keep drainage channels clear, avoid dumping waste into waterways,” Isa said.

In Yobe, Dr Mohamed Goje, the SEMA’s Executive Secretary, said flood preparedness had been extended to the hinterland.

He said SEMA, with support from UNICEF, trained stakeholders on flood preparedness in 10 high risk areas, based on the 2025 Seasonal Climate Predictions (SCP) by NiMet and the Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) by Nigeria Hydrological Service Agency (NIHSA).

Goje said that the training, which was conducted at the three Senatorial Zones of the state, assembled 100 stakeholders from each of the Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Bade, Jakusko, Karasuwa, Nguru, Potiskum, Fika, Gujba, Damaturu, Bursari and Geidam.

The executive secretary said the stakeholders were equipped with actionable insights from SCP and AFO forecasts.

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According to him, the stakeholders have developed peculiar contingency plans for their respective areas.

“The training aimed to strengthen coordination and build inclusive local response systems that will protect lives and livelihoods before and when floods strike,” he said.

Goje expressed appreciation to UNICEF for aligning with Gov. Mai Mala Buni’s comprehensive flood response priorities, and called on other development partners to follow suit.

However, Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment towards enforcing urban development regulations and restoring Maiduguri’s original master plan.

“I have directed the Ministry of Environment and Borno Geographical Information Service (BOGIS) to identify and demolish illegal structures obstructing water flow,” the governor said shortly after inspecting the ongoing reconstruction work at Alau Dam on Saturday.

He also announced that, “there is no need for panic over the water levels at Alau Dam.

“We have mobilised 25 tongrains to remove sediment and debris from blocked channels. Since then, the dam level has dropped by 4 inches,” Zulum said.

Similarly, in Adamawa, Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri, had made significant investments in stormwater infrastructure to reduce the impact of flooding.

Mr Humwashi Wonosikou, Chief Press Secretary to the governor, listed the construction and expansion of drainage systems and water channels in flood-prone areas, as part of the comprehensive flood management strategy put in place by the government.

Wonosikou said the government’s emergency response mechanism was promptly activated following recent flash floods that claimed 23 lives and displaced many residents across the state.

Meanwhile, Dr Mairo Amshi, the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management in Yobe, said the state government was committed to constructing drains in all flood prone areas.

She also said that the ministry had embarked upon massive sensitisation of the public on flood alert through the media and other advocacy channels.

“The advocacy is centred around the need for people to always keep their drainages clean and avoid living around the river banks and other high risk areas,” Amshi said.