By Nkechi Eze
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has commenced rescue operations and rapid flood assessment in parts of Kaduna State following intense rainfall that triggered widespread flooding and displacement in several communities.
In a statement, the Director General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, said the agency’s Kaduna Operations Office was immediately activated to respond to the disaster. She explained that a specialised response team, led by the Chief Search and Rescue Officer, Mr. Abdulkadir Mohammed, has been deployed to affected areas to conduct rescue missions and assess the scale of destruction.
The team is working in close collaboration with the Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency (KADSEMA) and other local stakeholders to ensure swift and coordinated relief. So far, operations have covered flood-hit neighbourhoods including Kigo Road, Nassarawa, Bashama Road, Haliru Dantoro Road, Kabala Constain, Rafin Guza, and adjoining communities.
Residents recounted harrowing experiences as the torrential rains, compounded by the overflowing of River Kaduna, forced families to flee their homes. Properties were destroyed, roads submerged, and many households left vulnerable in the wake of the disaster. Some of the displaced persons are currently taking temporary refuge with relatives and friends in safer locations pending further humanitarian support.
Mrs. Umar emphasised NEMA’s commitment to mitigating the impact of the flooding through sustained coordination with state and local emergency agencies. “Our priority remains the safety of lives, the provision of immediate assistance to those affected, and a comprehensive assessment that will guide the next phase of humanitarian intervention,” she noted.
Rescue efforts are still ongoing as NEMA officials continue to navigate submerged communities, providing aid to stranded residents and evaluating infrastructural damage. Relief materials are expected to follow once assessments are concluded to cushion the hardship of displaced families.
The agency assured that more updates will be provided as field teams intensify operations and work with stakeholders to restore normalcy in the affected communities.
