The Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency has identified communities across the state that are susceptible to flooding and established temporary shelters as part of measures to safeguard lives and property during the rainy season.

KADSEMA also revealed that relief supplies and essential non-food items had been placed in warehouses and zonal offices across the state to enable a swift response if residents need to be evacuated.

The agency’s Public Relations Officer, Philips Dominic, disclosed this during an interview with our correspondents on Thursday. He explained that KADSEMA had assessed communities situated around major rivers and tributaries, as well as low-lying locations with inadequate drainage systems.

Dominic named Rafin Guza, Bashama, Unguwan Rimi, Barnawa, Kabala Costain and Romi among the areas facing significant flood risks because of their closeness to waterways and tributaries.

He also mentioned parts of Tudun Wada, Barnawa, Rigasa and Sabon Tasha, noting that their low elevation and blocked or poorly maintained drainage channels increased their vulnerability.

“High-risk communities have been identified based on proximity to major riverine areas and tributaries, including Rafin Guza, Bashama, Unguwan Rimi, Barnawa, Kabala Costain and Romi, among others,” Dominic said.

He added, “Additional vulnerable communities located in low-lying areas with obstructed or uncleared drainage systems have also been mapped, including parts of Tudun Wada, Barnawa, Rigasa and Sabon Tasha.”

The KADSEMA spokesman said the agency had enhanced its early warning measures through the release of daily advisories based on weather and hydrological forecasts from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency.

“The issuance of daily advisories is a standard component of our early warning system. These advisories are informed by weekly forecasts from NiMet and NIHSA,” he stated.

Dominic said warnings of continued rainfall and possible flooding led the agency to issue evacuation advisories to communities considered at risk.

He cited the evacuation of residents in Askolaye as an example of the agency’s preventive response, explaining that residents were initially unwilling to vacate the area.

“For instance, residents of Askolaye community were advised to evacuate as a precautionary measure. While initial compliance was low, timely community engagement led to full evacuation upon realisation of the imminent risk,” he said.

He said KADSEMA’s preparedness efforts were being implemented across all 23 local government areas of Kaduna State, including locations that had not been classified as high-risk.

According to him, Local Emergency Management Committees had identified safe locations and temporary shelters to accommodate residents who may need to leave their communities during flooding.

The Namadi Sambo Skills Acquisition Centre in Tudun Wada was designated as a temporary shelter for residents of Kaduna South Local Government Area, while Romi Primary and Secondary School would provide temporary accommodation for residents of Romi.

“Additional sites have been identified in Unguwan Rimi, Rafin Guza and other locations. The list is exhaustive,” Dominic said.

He explained that other alternative safe locations had been identified in places where schools were unavailable or inaccessible to residents who might require evacuation.

“Emergency shelter tents have been provided and will be mounted upon activation of pre-emptive measures,” he added.

KADSEMA said its flood preparedness and response operations were being carried out under the Kaduna State Contingency Plan, which assigns responsibilities to relevant government agencies and humanitarian sectors.

Dominic disclosed that the Kaduna State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency was coordinating the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene sector, while security arrangements were being jointly handled by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Kaduna Vigilance Service.

He added that the state Ministry of Health was overseeing the health response, while other key humanitarian sectors had also been incorporated into the contingency plan.

On relief supplies, Dominic said the agency had already distributed essential materials to its warehouses and zonal offices across the state for quick deployment.

“All resources are strategically positioned at zonal and LGA levels under the custody of the LEMCs across the 23 LGAs,” he said.

He explained that the agency would not wait for flooding to occur before releasing the supplies, noting that the activation of designated shelters would automatically initiate the deployment process.

“Deployment of these resources will be triggered immediately upon activation of the designated safe havens.

“The activation and deployment protocol can be executed within minutes as the situation warrants.

“All necessary arrangements are in place, and the state remains on high alert,” Dominic said.