By Abdullahi Lukman
In swift response to the Nigerian Meteorological Agency’s (NiMet) prediction of widespread flooding in 2025, stakeholders in the environment sector are escalating efforts at averting the potential disaster in Bauchi, Gombe, and Jigawa states.
These proactive measures, taken in collaboration with state and federal governments and development organizations, include intensified public awareness campaigns on flood dangers and preventative actions, alongside the implementation of environmental control strategies.
The predicted flooding, attributed to the abundance of water bodies and rivers such as the Hadejia-Jama’are River traversing the region, poses a significant threat.
Gombe State has already experienced the destructive impact of flooding, with the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) reporting the destruction of 2,117 houses across 27 communities in 2024, and injuries sustained by three individuals.
To prepare for the upcoming rainy season, Gombe SEMA is currently conducting sensitization activities in the Funakaye, Yamaltu/Deba, and Dukku Local Government Areas, identified as high-risk zones.
The agency, in partnership with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the North East Development Commission (NEDC), provided relief materials to affected communities last year and is now urging residents to clear drainage systems and avoid improper waste disposal.
NEMA’s Gombe State office has also confirmed the supply of relief materials for potential distribution and echoed the state government’s call for residents in flood-prone areas to relocate to higher ground.
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Similarly, the Jigawa State government is taking concrete steps to minimize flood impact.
The state has deployed amphibious excavators to desilt the Hadejia River and other waterways, specifically targeting the removal of typhar grass obstructing water flow.
The Chairman of the Jigawa Committee on Flood Control, Mr. Hamza Muhammad, stated that these proactive measures, including dredging, clearing, realignment, and expansion of riverbanks, are in direct response to NiMet’s predictions.
Dyke construction, measuring four meters wide and 3.5 meters high, is also underway in vulnerable communities across the state.
Governor Umar Namadi has directed the committee to expedite these efforts and address areas damaged by previous floods.
In Bauchi State, while NiMet’s Seasonal Climate Prediction did not specify particular areas at high risk, the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has advised communities in low-lying areas to relocate to higher ground as a precautionary measure.
Neyola Adamu, the Director of Relief and Rehabilitation at Bauchi SEMA, highlighted that the forecast indicates a potential for drought in 14 Local Government Areas for approximately 21 days between June and August, but the state is nonetheless preparing for potential flooding.
The concerted efforts across Bauchi, Gombe, and Jigawa states underscore the commitment of government agencies and other stakeholders to proactively address the anticipated flooding and mitigate its devastating effects on communities and the environment.
