The Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency (ADSEMA), in collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has commenced flood sensitisation in vulnerable communities across the state.

Celine Laori, the executive secretary of ADSEMA, disclosed this during flood sensitisation on Tuesday at Limawa Ward, Yola North Local Government Area (LGA) of Adamawa.

According to Ms Laori, the exercise began at Limawa Ward and targets communities and other local governments identified as highly susceptible to flooding during the rainy season.

She said the annual sensitisation followed predictions by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and other weather agencies.

“Forecasts indicated Adamawa was among states likely to experience heavy rainfall and flooding during the 2026 rainy season.

“The state government therefore directed the agency to visit flood-prone communities and educate residents on the need to relocate from high-risk areas,” she said.

According to her, the exercise is being conducted with community leaders to strengthen preparedness and encourage compliance with safety directives before flooding occurs.

Ms Laori urged residents living in vulnerable locations to heed early warning messages and evacuate to safer places whenever necessary.

Also speaking, Ladan Ayuba, NEMA Head of Operations, described the sensitisation as timely, considering the 2026 flood outlook.

Mr Ayuba said the exercise required collaboration among government agencies, traditional leaders, the media and other stakeholders to reduce disaster risks.

He urged residents, particularly those living near rivers, to monitor weather updates through radio and other reliable information channels.

Mr Ayuba advised residents to keep their surroundings clean, clear blocked drainage channels and avoid building on waterways.

He said indiscriminate waste disposal and construction on drainage paths remained major causes of flooding in many communities.

Ayuba said NEMA had prepositioned food and non-food relief materials to support victims in the event of flooding.

He added that the agency would continue sensitisation campaigns across all 21 local government areas, with seven identified as being at higher flood risk.

Yahaya Ishiaku, district head of Limawa, commended the state government and emergency agencies for sustained public awareness campaigns on flood prevention.

Mr Ishiaku assured the agencies that traditional leaders would relay the safety messages to residents and encourage compliance with evacuation directives.

Sarah Samuel, vice chairperson, Yola North LGA, also lauded the sensitisation and described it as vital to protecting lives and property.

Ms Samuel appealed to the state government to provide security for evacuated communities to prevent theft and vandalism during flood emergencies.

She also urged relevant authorities to sanitise and fumigate affected communities after flooding to reduce the risk of disease outbreaks, especially among children and other vulnerable persons.

“We realised thieves invade and vandalise houses, taking away windows, doors and other household furniture. When people move to safer ground, we ask that security be provided.

“Our children fall sick, and sometimes they die, so we appeal that the environment get sanitised and fumigated to avoid the outbreak of diseases,” she added. 

(NAN)