NEMA Warns Over 30 States of Severe Flooding Risk in 2026 Rainy Season

Nigeria’s National Emergency Management Agency has warned state governments that more than 30 states face severe flooding risk during the 2026 rainy season — and the rains have already started in most parts of the country.

NEMA Director-General Zubaida Umar made the warning on Wednesday during a visit to Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri in Yola, as part of activities marking the official flag-off of NEMA’s 2026 National Preparedness and Response campaign.

30+ states in the danger zone

Umar urged state emergency management agencies to take coordinated, proactive steps before water levels become dangerous — mapping flood-prone communities, clearing drainage channels, and pre-positioning relief materials while there is still time to do so. The agency is particularly concerned about communities along major river systems, which have flooded with serious consequences in recent years.

Nigeria’s flooding season typically peaks between August and October. But communities in several states are already reporting heavy rains and early localised flooding, making NEMA’s message more urgent than a routine pre-season advisory.

Why this is different from earlier projections

The Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency had already flagged specific high-risk states earlier in the season. NEMA’s warning goes further — it signals that the federal emergency response is now moving into an active operational phase, with coordination visits to state capitals already underway.

The 2022 floods remain the benchmark for how bad things can get. That year, over 1.4 million Nigerians were displaced across 33 states, farmland was destroyed at a critical food production window, and the humanitarian response was overwhelmed in multiple states. NEMA’s early push this year is, in part, a direct lesson from how 2022 unfolded.

Governor Fintiri of Adamawa pledged stronger collaboration with NEMA on flood prevention in his state, which has been one of the more heavily affected in previous seasons. The agency said similar engagements with other high-risk states are planned in the coming weeks.

Residents in flood-prone areas are advised to monitor updates from local emergency agencies, clear drains around their properties, and avoid building in identified floodplains.

Sources: Punch, Leadership, TVC News