Jutha Gupah, Maiduguri
May 12, 2023.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has warned Borno state residents and 11 other states in the North to remain indoors over likely thunderstorms and flooding in the last half of May, 2023.
The other states to be hit; included Taraba, Gombe, Bauchi, Adamawa and Yobe in the Northeast; Plateau, Nasarawa, FCT and Kaduna in North Central and Jigawa, Kano, and Katsina in the North Central region of the country.
The weather forecast Agency warned that the two-week rainfall may lead to flashes of floods, urging the over 24 million residents to remain indoors.
NiMet’s Public Relations General Manager, Muntari Ibrahim, disclosed, yesterday (Friday), in Maiduguri, that; “Following observed thunder-clouds activities in the Northeast part of the country, we alerted the general public on heavy rainfalls in the North.
His words: “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,
According to him, the thunderstorms are expected to last for about two-six hours of heavy down pours of rainfalls.
Ibrahim noted that in areas where thunderstorms are expected, strong winds may 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.
End.
