By Hillary Asemota
While stakeholders from across all sectors of the Nigerian economy: Agriculture/farming, Aviation, Maritime, Education, Transportation, Medicine, Media and all the rest are anxiously waiting for the release of the 2022 Seasonal Rainfall Prediction (SRP) to be released by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), as enshrined in the Act establishing it saddled by its statutory function as the lead agency to provide knife cutting expertise and scientific prediction on climate, weather and water matters.
Meanwhile, the agency has alerted Nigerians, airline operators, road users and the health operators on the expected deterioration of horizontal visibility in the northern part of the country. This NiMet, acknowledged will be occasioned by the atmospheric transportation of thick dust haze across the country.
A statement signed by the General Manager, PR Department of the Agency, Mr. Muntari Yusuf Ibrahim, said its Central Forecast Office (CFO), pointed in the direction of fresh dust raised over the source region in Tchad republic is expected to be transported into Nigeria.
According to him, the dust is expected to deteriorate horizontal visibility values majorly over the northern parts of the country from the time of the issuance of the forecast to the next 24 hours.
The statement revealed that the thick dust haze with horizontal visibility values of less than 1000m are expected over the Northern parts of the country, especially over, Borno, Yobe, Kano, Gombe, Bauchi, Katsina, Zamfara, and Sokoto.
NiMet, has therefore cautioned that flight operations may be disrupted and airline operators are advised to pick up their flight folders at all aerodromes in the country and adhere to regulations, while road users should exert caution while driving along areas with poor visibility during this period.
According to him, people with respiratory problems should also take caution.
NiMet reiterates its commitment to continue to monitor and update as the situation improves or deteriorates.
…Forecast slight rise in temperature
The agency forecasted a possible rise in temperature in some states across the country as disclosed in a weather alert issued by the CFO on Sunday evening.
According to the release areas expected to record temperature greater than 35°C and less than 40°C include parts of Niger, Kwara, FCT, Kogi, Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba.
The entire inland states of the south (excluding Enugu) and most parts of the coastal states (excluding Lagos) are expected to be in the same temperature range.
The two days forecast however observed that on February 1st places in the south that are expected to be in the same temperature range include parts of Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ondo, Edo, Delta, Enugu, Rivers, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi and Cross River.
NiMet therefore advised that to cope and stay safe in extreme heat, people should drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration. Avoid leaving humans or animals in the car, especially young children, that it is best to stay in the shade such as trees if you must wait outside and wear light and bright cloths.