Weather

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted thunderstorms and rainfall across much of the country from Thursday to Saturday, warning of potential flooding in several states. In its weather outlook released Wednesday in Abuja, NiMet said parts of the northern, central, and southern regions would experience varying intensities of rain during the three-day period. Thursday: Morning thunderstorms with moderate rain are expected in parts of Borno, Kebbi, Gombe, Bauchi, Yobe, Jigawa, Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna, Kano, Sokoto, and Taraba States. Afternoon to evening thunderstorms are likely in the same areas, with a high flood risk in Zamfara, Sokoto, Gombe, Bauchi, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, and Taraba. Read Also: Jigawa, HJRBDA Partner to Tackle Flooding, Boost Irrigation In the central region, thunderstorms with intermittent rains will affect Plateau, Nasarawa, Benue, Kogi, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and Niger in the morning, spreading to Kwara later in the day. Flooding is likely in parts of Nasarawa and Benue. The southern region will see cloudy skies and light morning rain over Rivers, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom, followed by moderate rainfall in Oyo, Osun, Edo, Ondo, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Bayelsa. Cross River faces a high flood risk. Friday: Northern states including Bauchi, Gombe, Kano, Taraba, Yobe, Borno, Kaduna, Katsina, Jigawa, Sokoto, and Zamfara will experience morning thunderstorms, with heavier rainfall later in the day. Flooding is possible in Zamfara, Katsina, Kano, and Bauchi. In the central region, thunderstorms with moderate rain will occur in the FCT, Niger, Nasarawa, Plateau, Benue, Kwara, and Kogi, with light rain expected later. Benue, Niger, Kogi, and the FCT face high flood risks. Southern states will see light morning rain in Oyo, Ogun, Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Imo, Ondo, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Cross River, and Lagos, continuing later in Imo, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ondo, Lagos, Edo, Delta, Rivers, Cross River, and Bayelsa. Saturday: Morning thunderstorms are likely over Katsina, Kebbi, Kaduna, Borno, Jigawa, Yobe, Taraba, and Sokoto, with further rainfall later in the day extending to Bauchi. Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara have elevated flood risks. The central region will get light morning rain in Niger, Nasarawa, Plateau, and the FCT, followed by widespread afternoon thunderstorms. In the south, Ondo, Osun, Ebonyi, and Cross River will see light rain in the morning, increasing to moderate rain in Ondo, Osun, Ogun, Edo, Oyo, Ekiti, Ebonyi, and Rivers later. Safety Advisory: NiMet urged residents in flood-prone areas to activate emergency response plans and avoid driving during heavy rain. Farmers were advised not to apply fertilisers or pesticides immediately before rainfall to prevent nutrient leaching. The agency also recommended fastening loose objects, disconnecting electrical appliances, staying clear of tall trees during storms, and wearing warm clothing in cool night conditions. Airline operators should obtain location-specific weather reports for flight planning. Further updates are available on NiMet’s website: www.nimet.gov.ng (NAN)