Borno, Yobe, Adamawa Activate Emergency Plans as Flood Threat Looms

The governments of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states have activated emergency response measures and evacuation plans to reduce the impact of anticipated flooding following warnings issued by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency.

The flood preparedness measures come after the two federal agencies listed 17 states as being at risk of significant flooding during the current rainy season.

Officials of the state emergency management agencies disclosed the preparedness plans in separate interviews on Wednesday.

In Borno State, the Director of Administration at the State Emergency Management Agency, Yagana Ali-Abadam, said the government had established a flood preparedness committee comprising representatives of NiMet, the National Emergency Management Agency, the Borno State Environmental Protection Agency and the Nigerian Red Cross Society.

She explained that the committee was created as part of a broader disaster risk reduction strategy aimed at protecting vulnerable communities.

Ali-Abadam disclosed that residents of flood-prone communities in Dikwa had already been relocated to safer areas, while relief materials were being distributed to victims of previous flooding in Kala Balge.

She added that drainage channels in Maiduguri had been cleared, particularly around Ajilari Cross, Kopa and Bulumkutu-Dala, while additional drainage expansion projects were ongoing.

Public sensitisation campaigns through the media and community engagement programmes have also commenced across the state.

In Yobe State, the Director of Search and Rescue Operations at the State Emergency Management Agency, Ibrahim Jalo, said authorities had deployed real-time river monitoring systems and digital reporting platforms in vulnerable communities.

He said emergency officials had identified safe evacuation centres, activated local government early warning committees and stocked relief materials for 50,000 households, alongside food supplies for another 10,000 households.

According to him, 7,400 sandbags have also been allocated for embankment projects, while emergency response materials have been positioned in Damaturu, Potiskum and Geidam.

Jalo identified 12 local government areas as being at high risk of flooding and urged residents to comply with official warnings.

In Adamawa State, the Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency, Celine Laori, said flood response committees had been activated in all 21 local government areas.

She added that drainage desilting had commenced in Yola North, Yola South and Jimeta, while safe locations had been designated in high-risk communities.

The agency is also conducting awareness campaigns through radio broadcasts and community meetings in multiple local languages.