By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu, Kano
The Kano State Government has announced plans to design a new drainage master plan for the metropolis as part of long-term measures to address recurring urban flooding and the impact of climate change.
Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Dr. Dahiru Muhammad Hashim, disclosed this while reacting to Thursday’s heavy downpour that submerged several parts of the city. He said the rainfall, which lasted over three hours, was unusually intense and overwhelmed the city’s existing drainage infrastructure.
Dr. Hashim explained that the flood was linked to global climate change, 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 said.
He identified rapid urban expansion, inadequate drainage networks, and indiscriminate dumping of refuse as key factors worsening the problem. The commissioner also noted that flooding is not peculiar to Kano, as cities across Nigeria and other parts of the world face similar challenges.
According to him, the government has already taken short-term steps, including desilting major drains, supporting community efforts to clear minor waterways, improving waste management, and restoring natural buffers such as roadside trees. He further revealed that a major drainage project currently under construction at Babangwari roundabout is designed to handle more than half of Kano’s stormwater.
For the long term, Dr. Hashim said the state would propose a comprehensive drainage master plan in the 2026 budget, stressing that the current system cannot adequately cope with future climate-induced rainfall.
He assured residents of the government’s commitment to protecting lives and property but urged citizens to support the effort by adopting proper waste disposal habits and avoiding construction on waterways.