The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has identified 166 communities in Kaduna State as vulnerable to river flooding, warning residents to brace for increased flash and river floods as the rainy season reaches its peak.
The Senior Hydrologist at NIHSA, Mr Yusuf Yakong, issued the warning on Friday during a joint meeting of the 2026 Flood Strategic and Tactical Response Teams in Kaduna.
Yakong said the flood alert followed forecasts by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and NIHSA, both of which classified Kaduna among states likely to experience flooding this season.
According to him, NiMet has predicted flash floods across parts of the state, while NIHSA’s flood advisory covering July 21 to July 27 placed Kaduna under medium river flood risk.
He disclosed that 166 communities in Lere Local Government Area, along with 16 schools, three health facilities and three places of worship, have been identified as highly vulnerable to flooding.
Yakong added that NIHSA’s 2026 Annual Flood Outlook had earlier listed 21 local government areas in Kaduna State as flood-prone.
“July, August and September are the peak rainfall months. The soil is saturated and river levels are rising, increasing the likelihood of flooding,” he said.
He further revealed that the Geographic Information System (GIS) Unit of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) is validating the flood-risk data before distributing the updated list of vulnerable communities to relevant stakeholders.
Responding, the Director of Relief and Disaster Management at the Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency (KADSEMA), Mr Mubarak Zakari, said the agency had already activated its emergency response plans.
“Our priority is to extend preparedness to other flood-prone communities and ensure response teams are fully activated,” Zakari said.
He noted that KADSEMA has intensified surveillance of flood-prone areas and mobilised relevant stakeholders to ensure rapid emergency response whenever necessary.
Zakari also urged residents living in vulnerable communities to heed official flood warnings and evacuate immediately whenever authorities issue relocation directives.
