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NiMet has directed states at risk of flash flooding to immediately activate their emergency response systems as widespread thunderstorms and heavy rainfall are expected across Nigeria from Wednesday to Friday.
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Imo, Abia, Ebonyi, Akwa Ibom and Cross River were identified as the states with a high possibility of flash floods, with the agency warning residents and emergency authorities to remain on high alert.
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Strong winds are expected to precede thunderstorms in several parts of the country, prompting NiMet to urge Nigerians to secure loose objects, disconnect electrical appliances and avoid taking shelter under tall trees.
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The agency also warned motorists and airline operators to take extra precautions, citing the likelihood of poor visibility, flooding and weather-related disruptions during the three-day forecast period.
September 09, (THEWILL) — The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has ordered states vulnerable to flash flooding to activate their emergency response systems immediately as it forecast widespread thunderstorms, heavy rainfall and strong winds across the country from Wednesday to Friday.
In its latest three-day weather outlook released on Tuesday, the agency warned that persistent rainfall could trigger flash floods in parts of the South-East and South-South, while thunderstorms are expected to affect northern, North-Central and southern states at different periods of the day.
NiMet identified Imo, Abia, Ebonyi, Akwa Ibom and Cross River as states with a high likelihood of flash flooding during the forecast period and urged emergency management agencies in the affected states to be fully prepared for possible incidents.
The agency forecast patches of clouds over the northern region on Wednesday morning, with thunderstorms and light rainfall expected over parts of Taraba and Kebbi states. Later in the day, moderate thunderstorms are expected across Taraba, Borno, Yobe, Bauchi, Sokoto, Katsina, Zamfara, Jigawa, Kano and Kaduna states.
In the North-Central region, morning thunderstorms with light rains are expected over Nasarawa, Niger, Benue and the Federal Capital Territory before moderate rainfall spreads across most parts of the region during the afternoon and evening.
Southern Nigeria is expected to experience cloudy conditions, with morning rainfall over Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Cross River, Abia, Imo, Ebonyi and Akwa Ibom states, followed by widespread moderate rainfall later in the day.
For Thursday, NiMet predicted fresh thunderstorms across Jigawa, Kano, Borno, Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe and Kaduna in the morning, extending to Adamawa and Taraba during the afternoon and evening. It also forecast continued rainfall across the North-Central and southern regions throughout the day.
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On Friday, the agency said partly cloudy skies would prevail over northern Nigeria before thunderstorms develop over Taraba, Adamawa, Borno, Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe, Kano, Jigawa, Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara later in the day. Similar thunderstorms are expected across the North-Central region, while southern states will continue to experience moderate rainfall.
NiMet warned that strong winds may precede rainfall in areas where thunderstorms are expected and advised residents to secure loose objects to prevent damage from windstorms.
It also cautioned Nigerians against driving during heavy rainfall because of poor visibility and flood risks, urging residents to disconnect electrical appliances from power sockets during storms and stay away from tall trees to avoid injuries from falling branches or lightning strikes.
The agency further advised airline operators to obtain airport-specific weather reports from NiMet for effective flight planning and urged Nigerians to remain updated through its official weather advisories.
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