National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has warned that five local government areas in Kwara State face a high risk of flooding during the 2026 rainy season.
Gatekeepers News reports that the affected LGAs are Edu, Baruten, Kaiama, Moro, and Patigi. The warning was issued during the 2026 National Disaster Preparedness and Response Campaign stakeholders’ engagement held in Ilorin.
NEMA Director-General, Zubaida Umar, represented by Hussaini Isah, said the forecast was based on the 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction and Annual Flood Outlook released by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency. She added that several other LGAs in the state are also expected to experience moderate flooding.
According to NEMA, 23 states and the Federal Capital Territory, covering 132 LGAs nationwide, fall within high-risk flood zones, while 148 LGAs across 14 states are classified as moderate-risk areas. The agency warned that changing weather patterns could lead to delayed rainfall, prolonged dry spells, higher temperatures, and above-normal rainfall in some locations, with potential impacts on agriculture, transportation, healthcare, water supply, and other sectors.
Umar said NEMA has developed a climate-related risk management and preparedness framework for 2026 and will deploy technical teams across the country to strengthen early warning systems and community preparedness. She urged governments, communities, and stakeholders to support efforts aimed at reducing flood-related disasters and protecting lives and property.
Also speaking at the event, Jide Aina, General Manager of the Kwara State Environmental Protection Agency, stressed the need for stronger grassroots resilience measures, while NiMet meteorologist Desmond Onyilo advised farmers to exercise caution in cultivating crops after July 15 due to the likelihood of moderate to severe dry spells in the state.
