Kano State, NEMA Conduct Large-Scale Flood Simulation Exercise in Wudil
In a proactive move to bolster emergency preparedness ahead of the peak rainy season, the Kano State Government, in collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has carried out a large-scale flood disaster simulation in Wudil Local Government Area.
The exercise was part of a broader strategy to test the effectiveness of early warning systems, evacuation protocols, and coordinated disaster response efforts in one of the state’s most flood-prone regions.
Wudil, which lies near the banks of the Challawa River, has been identified by NEMA as one of the 362 communities across Kano considered highly vulnerable to flooding.
The simulation exercise, which involved local volunteers, security agencies, first responders, and officials from the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), was designed to replicate the real-time conditions of a severe flood emergency.
During the drill, participants were trained in evacuation techniques, water rescue operations, emergency first aid, and communication strategies under disaster pressure. Simulated rainfall data was used to monitor the region’s drainage response and test the capacity of existing flood control infrastructure.
The operation also assessed how well emergency alerts could reach remote communities. Residents in selected neighborhoods received mock warnings via radio, mobile alerts, and community town criers, followed by supervised evacuation to designated shelters. Relief materials, including food packs, medical kits, and clean water supplies, were staged at temporary camps.
Speaking at the event, NEMA officials emphasized the importance of such exercises in minimizing casualties and property loss when real disasters strike. “The goal is to ensure that every stakeholder, from government agencies to community residents, understands their role and can act quickly and effectively during emergencies,” one official noted.
Kano State emergency officials described the exercise as timely, noting that early July marks the start of intensified rainfall in the region. According to the 2025 seasonal rainfall prediction released by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, Kano is expected to experience above-average rainfall, raising the likelihood of flash floods in riverine areas like Wudil.
Beyond the simulation, the state government has also begun clearing major drainage channels, reinforcing embankments, and launching public sensitization campaigns on flood risks.
Community leaders were also encouraged to organize local response teams that can act independently during the first hours of a disaster.
This exercise is part of a larger national initiative by NEMA, which has conducted similar flood simulation drills in various flood-prone states across Nigeria.
The agency continues to push for grassroots resilience through early warnings, risk communication, and better urban planning.
For Wudil, the simulation offered more than a rehearsal—it was a stark reminder of the real and growing threat of climate-related disasters, and the importance of readiness at every level.
