…As NOA moves to avert loss of lives, properties
Airline operators across the country have been urged to avail themselves of weather reports periodically from the office of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) for effective planning of their operations.
The Agency emphasised, “Disaster risk managers, agencies and individuals should be proactive to avert loss of lives and property during rainy season.”
In a related development, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) has directed Community Orientation and Mobilisation Officers (COMOS) to swing into action by educating citizens at the grassroots on the NiMet’s prediction in order to avert consequences such as loss of lives and property.
The Director-General, Dr. Garba Abari, gave the directive in a statement noted that the weather advisory has grave implications for the ordinary citizen, properties, airlines and forests.
It will be noted that hours after NiMet raised an alarm over an impending thunderstorm and heavy rainfall in at least 12 northern states of the federation, it has again predicted sunshine and cloudiness from Monday to Wednesday across the country.
NiMet on Sunday said thunderstorm cells are currently observed over some northern parts of the country. The Agency warned the public to be cautious and stay indoors, especially during heavy rainfall, to avoid being struck by lightning.
On Monday morning, Nigerians woke up to the news that NiMet’s weather outlook forecast a sunny atmosphere with few patches of clouds over the northern region.
The Agency insisted that in 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.
The Agency predicted cloudy atmosphere is expected over the inland states and coastal cities of the South with prospects of morning thunderstorms over parts of Ogun and Lagos States.
It anticipated prospects of thunderstorms over parts of Taraba, Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe and Kaduna States during the afternoon and evening hours.
“Cloudy atmosphere with intervals of sunshine are envisaged over the North Central with chances of early morning thunderstorms over parts of Nasarawa, the Federal Capital Territory, Kogi, Niger and Kwara States.
“Later in the day, thunderstorms are anticipated over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa, Kogi, Niger and Plateau.
“Cloudy atmosphere is envisaged over the inland states and the coastal cities of the south with prospects of morning thunderstorms over parts of Cross River and Akwa Ibom state,” it said.
“Cloudy atmosphere is expected over the inland states and coastal cities of the South with prospects of morning thunderstorms expected over Ogun, Cross River, Awka Ibom, Rivers and Lagos States.
“Later in the day, thunderstorms are expected over parts of Oyo, Ondo, Edo, Imo, Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers, Awka Ibom and Cross River state,” it said.
NiMet anticipated a sunny atmosphere on Wednesday with few patches of clouds over the northern region with prospects of thunderstorms over parts of Kebbi, Zamfara, Sokoto, Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Taraba, and Adamawa states later in the day.
It predicted a cloudy atmosphere with intervals of sunshine over the North-central throughout the forecast period.
