The Nigerian Meteorological Agency has forecasted a period of rainy and thundery weather across various regions of the country from Monday to Wednesday, urging residents to take necessary precautions, especially in flood-prone areas.
In its weather outlook released on Sunday, NiMet projected isolated thunderstorms during Monday morning in parts of Katsina, Sokoto, Kano, Zamfara, Kebbi, Kaduna, Adamawa, and Taraba States in the northern region.
Later in the day, thunderstorms are expected to spread to parts of Kaduna, Borno, Gombe, Bauchi, Adamawa, Yobe, Taraba, Sokoto, Zamfara, and Kebbi States.
For central Nigeria, NiMet anticipated intermittent rains over parts of Benue, Niger, the Federal Capital Territory, Kogi, and Kwara States during the morning, with localized showers expected in the afternoon over Plateau, Niger, and Nasarawa States, as well as the FCT.
The southern region is expected to experience isolated rains over parts of Ebonyi, Abia, Imo, Enugu, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, and Cross River States in the morning, with more widespread rainfall in Ebonyi, Ondo, Anambra, and other southern states later in the day.
The forecast for Tuesday includes isolated thunderstorms in the morning for Borno, Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa, and Taraba States.
Similarly, intermittent rains are expected in Benue, Kogi, the FCT, and Nasarawa States, followed by localized rains over Plateau, Benue, Kwara, and Nasarawa States later in the day.
In southern Nigeria, intermittent rains will affect Edo, Ondo, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Delta, Rivers, and Bayelsa States in the morning, with the entire southern region likely to experience further rains later in the day.
On Wednesday, thunderstorms are predicted in parts of Kebbi, Bauchi, Sokoto, Borno, and Katsina States in the morning, with more isolated thunderstorms expected in Kebbi, Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara, Adamawa, Kano, and Taraba later in the day.
The FCT and Niger States are also forecasted to experience morning rains, with thunderstorms and rains affecting Plateau, Nasarawa, and Niger States in the afternoon.
NiMet has urged residents to avoid flood-prone areas as heavy rains could lead to urban flooding in major cities.
“There is a high likelihood of urban flooding in some areas due to the anticipated heavy downpours,” NiMet stated, adding that strong winds may accompany thunderstorms in certain regions.
The agency also advised the public to adhere to safety advisories and for airline operators to stay updated with weather reports for better planning.
“Residents are encouraged to remain informed through weather updates provided on NiMet’s website,” the agency added.
