By Njadvara Musa, Maiduguri
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has warned 12 Northern states to remain indoors over likely thunderstorms and flooding in the last half of May 2023.
The states include Borno, Taraba, Gombe, Bauchi, Adamawa and Yobe in the North East; Plateau, Nasarawa, Fderal Capital Territory (FCT) and Kaduna in North Central and Jigawa, Kano, and Katsina in the North Central Region of the country.
The agency cautioned that the two-week rainfall might lead to flash floods.
NiMet’s Public Relations General Manager, Muntari Ibrahim, said;
“Thunderstorm cells are currently observed over Borno, Taraba, Gombe, Bauchi, and Kano states. These are expected to propagate westward to give squally thunderstorms to some cities, including Maiduguri, Gashua, Katsina, Kaduna and Kano…”
He said the thunderstorms are expected to last for about two-six hours of heavy down pours of rainfalls.
Ibrahim noted that in areas where thunderstorms were expected, strong winds might precede the rains.
He warned that these could cause some trees, electric poles, unsecured objects, and weak buildings to fall and block roads and other streets of affected cities
He, therefore, urged residents living in those areas to be cautious and stay in-doors, particularly during heavy rainfalls.
“You’re to avoid being struck by lightning, including the falling of trees on motorists and commuters,” he further warned.
He also advised airline operators to avail themselves of weather forecasts periodically from the agency for effective planning of operations.
Source: The Guardian
