The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has warned residents of Kebbi State about heightened flood risks and a potential 21-day dry spell during the 2026 rainy season. The alert followed climate projections from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Annual Flood Outlook from the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA). NEMA's Sokoto Operations Office, in a statement issued in Birnin Kebbi on Friday by its head, Mr Tukur Abubakar, identified Kebbi as one of the states under the high flood-risk category for 2026. The state is expected to record heavier rainfall than in 2025, with intense downpours likely to cause flash floods in multiple communities.
NEMA stated that the Kebbi River could overflow between July and September, submerging farmlands, riverside settlements, and key infrastructure. Water levels may remain elevated through October and November, extending the flood impact. About 97 road sections across the state are at risk of flooding, with floodwaters potentially hiding potholes, eroded surfaces, and damaged bridges. The agency urged motorists to exercise caution during the rainy season.
A dry spell lasting approximately 21 days is also predicted between June and August 2026, threatening crop yields. NEMA advised farmers in Arewa, Dandi, Aleiro, Kalgo, Bunza, Birnin Kebbi, Argungu, Augie, Jega, and Maiyama Local Government Areas to adopt climate-smart practices, including planting drought-tolerant and early-maturing crops. Residents were encouraged to clear waterways, avoid building on floodplains, and relocate from vulnerable zones.
Households were advised to prepare emergency kits with food, clean water, medicine, and important documents. NEMA recommended switching off electricity before evacuation to prevent electrocution. The agency called for early reporting of flood signs to community leaders and Local Government Emergency Committees, and promoted investments in sandbags, embankments, and improved drainage. NEMA reaffirmed collaboration with the state government, traditional institutions, and emergency responders to reduce disaster risks.
NEMA warns of both severe flooding and a 21-day dry spell in Kebbi in 2026, creating conflicting threats to farming communities. Farmers must prepare for too much water and too little within the same season, risking total crop failure. The agency's advice to plant early-maturing crops may not offset losses if floods arrive before harvest. Residents face a cycle of displacement and hunger with no single strategy offering full protection.
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