The Kano State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) reported that no fewer than three local government areas have so far experienced flooding in the state.

The executive secretary of SEMA, Isyaku Abudullahi-Kubarachi, made the disclosure on Friday in Kano at a stakeholders’ meeting following a simulation exercise on communities at risk.

Mr Abudullahi-Kubarachi, represented by the agency’s director of planning, research, and statistics, Umar Abdul-Aziz, listed the affected local government areas as Sumaila, Kibiya, and Tudun Wada.

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) had predicted that 14 LGAs in the state are at high risk of flooding.

Other likely LGAs include Rimin Gado, Tofa, Kabo, Madobi, Garun Malam, Bebeji, Rano, Dawakin Kudu, Warawa, Wudil, Sumaila, Ajingi, Kura, and Dala.

The secretary stated that the agency’s team has visited and assessed the situation so far, after which a comprehensive report will be made for submission to the state government for relief materials.

“I cannot provide the exact number of persons or houses affected until after we complete our reports,” he said.

According to him, after the tabletop simulation exercise on July 17, the agency and other relevant stakeholders visited two vulnerable communities: Larabar Gadon Sarki in Warawa and Gurjiya in Dawakin Kudu local government areas.

“These two communities are along the riverbank of Tiga Dam. We evaluated the situation and discussed how to manage information related to emergencies to mitigate flooding.

“We sensitized the communities on how to prepare for and respond to any emergencies or eventualities related to Tiga Dam,” Mr Abudullahi-Kubarachi said.

He further explained that the agency and stakeholders are exploring the possibility of creating an artificial dam to contain the effects of Tiga Dam on vulnerable communities.

The secretary commended the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) for its support in capacity building and financial assistance through collaborative efforts.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) coordinator for Kano Territorial Office, Dr Nura Abdullahi, emphasised that effective waste management is key to mitigating flooding, especially in urban areas.

Mr Abdullahi called on the general public to desist from indiscriminate disposal of waste and advised against building on waterways.

The meeting was organized by SEMA, supported by UNICEF, in collaboration with NEMA, the Kano state ministry of water resources, and the Hadejia Jama’are River Basin Development Authority.

The meeting was attended by representatives from SEMA Jigawa, the Red Cross, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), among others.

(NAN)