The Kano State Government has announced plans to develop a new drainage master plan for Kano metropolis as part of long-term measures to address recurring urban flooding and the impacts of climate change.

The Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Dr. Dahiru Muhammad Hashim, disclosed this while reacting to Thursday’s heavy downpour that left several parts of the city flooded.

He said the volume and intensity of the rainfall, which lasted over three hours, overwhelmed the existing drainage system.

According to him, the flooding was not unexpected given the global climate crisis, which has altered rainfall patterns and increased the frequency of extreme weather events.

“The unusually high volume of rain was a result of rising global temperatures, which increase atmospheric moisture and contribute to prolonged downpours,” he explained.

He added that factors such as rapid urban expansion, inadequate drainage channels, and clogged waterways further worsened the flooding in Kano.

Dr. Hashim noted that similar incidents have been recorded in other Nigerian cities like Lagos, Calabar, and Abuja, as well as across Europe, the United States, and Asia, stressing that flooding is now a global challenge.

The commissioner said the state government had already taken short-term steps to mitigate flooding, including desilting major drains at the beginning of the rainy season, supporting community self-help groups to clear minor drainages, improving waste management systems, and restoring natural buffers such as trees along roads.

He also revealed that a major drainage channel under construction at Babangwari roundabout is designed to carry more than half of the city’s stormwater.

For the long term, however, he said the ministry will propose the development of a new master drainage plan in the 2026 budget, as the current system may not be able to cope with future climate-induced rainfall.

While assuring residents of the government’s commitment to protecting lives and property, the commissioner urged citizens to complement government efforts by disposing of waste properly and refraining from building on waterways. (Daily Trust)