NiMet Alerts On Thunderstorm Activities In Northern States

ABUJA  – Following observed thun­dercloud activities in the North-Eastern part of the coun­try, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has alerted the public on a possible heavy rain­fall activities in the coming days in some states in the northern part of the country.

Muntari Yusuf Ibrahim, the General Manager, Public Rela­tions, NiMet, made this known in a statement to journalists in Abuja on Thursday.

According to the statement, “Thunderstorm cells are currently observed over the northern parts of the coun­try including Borno, Taraba, Gombe, Bauchi and Kano. These are expected to propa­gate westward to give squally thunderstorm to some cities”.

The statement further re­vealed that the current thun­derstorm cells are expected to propagate easterly to give thun­derstorms accompanied with squall to cities in Plateau, FCT, Nasarawa, Jigawa, Adamama, Yobe, Borno, Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano and Katsina states in the next 2-6 hours.

NiMet, therefore, advised that for areas where thunder­storms are expected, strong winds are likely to precede the rains and as such, trees, electric poles, unsecured objects and weak buildings may be felled, so the public is advised to be cautious and stay in-door espe­cially during heavy rainfall to avoid being struck by lightning.

The statement advised all airline operators to avail themselves of weather re­ports periodically from NiMet for effective planning in their operations.

It also noted that moderate to heavy rainfall could lead to flash flood, hence 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 the rainy season”, it noted.

The Central Forecast Office (CFO) in NiMet will continue to monitor the weather and pro­vide updates when necessary, the statement read.