Warning: “Stay Indoors For Next Three Days Over Expected Hostile Environment Thunderstorms – NIMET Warns Nigerians

By Akinwale Kasali

The Nigeria Meteorological Agency, NIMET, has warned Nigerians to stay indoors for the next three days or more due to envisaged hostile environment and thunderstorms.

NIMET stressed that residents of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, are best advised to adhere to this directive in their own interest.

The Agency said that there would be thunderstorms, strong winds, and these are likely to precede the rains and as such, trees, electric poles, unsecured objects and weak buildings may collapse.

The Agency listed  States from the Northern Region of the country, the FCT, Middle Belt States and some Eastern States as target areas.

The States which are on high risk of the harsh weather conditions includes Borno, Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Taraba, Kano, Katsina, Zamfara and Kebbi States. So are parts of Enugu, Imo, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Bayelsa and Cross Rivers States.

NIMET stated that the aforementioned States have prospects of thunderstorms and it envisages sunny atmosphere Tuesday morning, with patches of clouds over the Northern region, where it says there would be thunderstorms over parts of Adamawa, Taraba and Kaduna States later in the day.

“Cloudy atmosphere with sunshine intervals is anticipated over the North Central Region with prospects of morning rains over parts of Niger, the Federal Capital Territory, Kogi, Benue and Kwara.

“Later in the day, thunderstorms with intermittent rains are expected over parts of Plateau, Benue, Kogi, Kwara and Niger States”.

The Agency, therefore, stated that for residents of the States mentioned, it is best for them to stay indoors as much as possible.

“Cloudy skies are expected over the inland and coastal cities of the South with prospects of morning rains over parts of Enugu, Imo, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Bayelsa and Cross Rivers”,  it added, while for Wednesday, sunny skies with patches of clouds over the Northern Region with prospects of morning thunderstorms over parts of Borno, Yobe, Taraba and Adamawa are to be expected.

“Thunderstorms are expected over parts of Bauchi, Adamawa, Taraba, Katsina, Kano and Kaduna States during the afternoon and evening hours.

“Cloudy atmosphere with sunshine intervals is anticipated over North central region in the morning hours with prospects of thunderstorms and intermittent rains over parts of Federal Capital Territory, Plateau, Kwara, Benue and Kogi state later in the day.

“Cloudy skies are also expected over the inland and coastal cities of the South with prospects of moderate rains over parts of Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Rivers and Lagos states.

“So the public is advised to be cautious. Stay indoors especially during heavy rainfall to avoid being struck by lightning.

“All Airline operators are advised to avail themselves of weather reports periodically from NiMet for effective planning in their operations.

“Moderate to heavy rainfall could lead to flash flood. The public is advised to take necessary caution. Disaster risk managers, agencies and individuals should be proactive to avert loss of lives and property during rainy season”, NIMET stated.