By: Bashir Hassan Abubakar
The Bauchi State Government has stepped up measures to mitigate the impact of the predicted 2026 flooding following an early warning by the Federal Government that over 1,000 communities across the state could be affected between July and August.
As part of the proactive response, the Bauchi State Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Project, in collaboration with the Ministry of Housing and Environment, convened a one-day stakeholders’ engagement on flood preparedness and response.
The forum brought together traditional and religious leaders, heads of government agencies, media practitioners and representatives from the 20 local government areas to strengthen collaboration and enhance emergency readiness.
Declaring the engagement open, the Commissioner for Housing and Environment, Danlami Ahmad Kawule, attributed most flooding incidents to human negligence, poor environmental practices and inadequate public awareness.
He noted that government interventions in 2025 significantly reduced the impact of flooding and assured participants that additional preventive measures had been put in place for the current rainy season. Kawule reaffirmed the commitment of the administration of Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed to safeguarding lives and property through sustained environmental protection and disaster risk reduction initiatives.
Also, speaking, the State Project Coordinator of ACReSAL, Dr. Ibrahim Kabir, disclosed that Bauchi is among the 17 states classified as high flood-risk areas this year, adding that the Governor directed the immediate engagement of critical stakeholders following the early warning.
He warned that 101 health facilities, eight markets and several schools remain vulnerable if adequate preventive actions are not taken.
The meeting featured a technical panel discussion on actions to be taken before, during and after flooding, with experts urging communities to clear blocked drainages, plant trees, observe environmental sanitation and comply with official flood advisories.
Participants stressed the importance of coordinated emergency response and stronger community participation, while religious leaders pledged to dedicate Friday and Sunday sermons to flood prevention awareness.
Goodwill messages from the Commissioner for Religious Affairs, the representative of the Commissioner for Agriculture and other stakeholders reaffirmed their collective commitment to working with government to protect lives, livelihoods and critical public infrastructure from the anticipated floods.
