Mohammed Shosanya
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMet, has released its current forecast showing heavy to moderate rainfall on Sunday in Abuja and neighbouring states.
It also warned of possible flash floods, riverine flooding, strong winds, and soil erosion as well as thunder and lightning during the downpour.
The Director General of the Agency, Professor Mansur Bako Matazu, Nimet,conveyed these in a statement on Saturday.
“During the forecast period (21st , 22nd and 23rd July, 2023), there are good chances of very strong winds to affect parts of Adamawa, Borno, Gombe, Yobe, Bauchi, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto and Kebbi State” Prof Matazu adds.
The statement also anticipated displacement of people due to floods, outbreak of water-borne diseases and damages to infrastructure.
He said: “Low to moderate rainfall, flash flooding, riverine flooding, soil erosion,strong winds,thunder and lightning are likely. displacements of people due to flash floods, outbreaks of water- borne diseases, isolated cases of damage to weak structures.”
He implored residents to heed to the early warning and avoid driving or wading into a pool of water during the rains.
“While strong winds are anticipated, Elsewhere there is little or no risk of strong winds, little or no hazard is expected. During the forecast period Moderate risk of Hazards due to Strong winds are likely. Isolated cases of displacements of people due to strong wind, isolated cases of damage to weak structures, isolated cases of felling of trees” he added.
The statement advised thatn all blocked drains should be cleared and advised people who reside on water channels to relocate, adding that “High risk of Hazards due to Strong winds is very likely. Large scale damages to weak structures, felling of trees, disruption of vehicular movement due to blockage of roads, displacement of people due to damages to buildings”
It explained that moderate to heavy rainfall is likely to affect parts of Jigawa, Kano, Kaduna, Plateau, Bauchi, Niger, Adamawa, Borno, Bayelsa, Rivers, Imo and Abia state during the forecast period.
According to the statement, low to moderate rainfall is expected over Delta, Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi, Cross River, Enugu, Anambra and Taraba state.
