By Isiyaka Ismail Wunti
Stakeholders working on Flood prevention have converged on Bauchi for a strategic engagement on 2026 flood preparedness and response, following forecasts that more than one thousand eight hundred communities across the state may experience flooding this August.
The forecast also indicates that one hundred and forty-five schools, one hundred and one health facilities, and eight markets could be affected by the anticipated floods.
The engagement followed a warning by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency NiMet, identifying Bauchi as one of the seven states likely to experience flooding.
The meeting, organised by the State office of the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes ACReSAL Project with the support of the state government was aimed at coordinating proactive interventions.
Speaking at the event, the State Programme Coordinator of ACReSAL, Dr Ibrahim Kabir, said upon receiving the warning, Governor Bala Mohammed directed the Project to engage relevant stakeholders on effective strategies towards responding to the forecast.
Dr. Kabir urged stakeholders to intensify community sensitisation on flood risks, stressing that early awareness and preparedness could significantly reduce the loss of lives and property.
The State Commissioner of Agriculture, Dr. Ilyasu Gital, represented by a Deputy Director in the ministry, Titus Aliyu, assured that farmers would be adequately guided on measures to minimise the impact of flooding on farmlands and livelihoods.
Some religious leaders at the meeting described the initiative as commendable and pledged to relay the flood advisory messages to their congregations for prompt action.
Representatives of the Ministries of Housing and Environment and Agriculture, the State Environmental Protection Agency, religious and community leaders, security agencies, and heads of media organisations participated in the engagement.
