NiMet Predicts Heavy Rainfall In Osun, 28 Others

Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted thunderstorms and strong winds will accompany heavy rains that will be experienced in Osun and 28 other states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the next three days.

OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the states include Ogun, Ondo, Edo, Rivers Cross River, Ebonyi, Abia, Imo, Delta, Bayelsa, and Akwa Ibom.

Others are Kogi, Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Kaduna, Niger, Plateau, Nasarawa, Kano, Jigawa, Yobe, Borno, Adamawa, Bauchi, Kogi, Taraba and Gombe.

About half of the states in the North and the FCT will be worst hit by the three-day rainfall which, NIMet said, would cause flash floods, poor visibility and damage to weak structures.

It, therefore, advised people“to avoid flood waters and standing or parking cars under trees. Emergency agencies, like the National Emergency Management Agencies (NEMA), aro be prepared.

The agency stated these in its ‘Heavy Rainfall Forecast Bulletin’, which was released hours after the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) dismissed the belief that Cameroon’s Lagdo Dam contributes heavily to flooding in Nigeria.

Part of the NiMet bulletin reads: “During the forecast period (the next three days), moderate to heavy rainfall is expected to affect parts of Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Kaduna, Niger, the FCT, Plateau, Nasarawa, Kano, Jigawa, Yobe, Borno, Adamawa, Bauchi, Kogi, Taraba, Cross River, Ebonyi, Abia, Imo, Delta, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Ogun, Ondo, Edo, Osun, Gombe and Rivers State.

“Generally, the rains are expected to be moderate to heavy, accompanied by strong winds and thunderstorms.

“There are good chances of hydrometeorological hazards such as flash flooding of roads and low-lying settlements; disruption of traffic, reduction in visibility, and damage to weak structures by strong winds.

“Hence, the public is advised to exercise restraint during thunderstorms, avoid standing or parking cars under trees as much as possible, and avoid flood waters.”