NiMET predicts nationwide rainfall, thunderstorm and flash flood

By EMMANUEL KUJE, Abuja–

Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has issued a weather advisory forecasting widespread rainfall, thunderstorms, and potential flash flooding across Nigeria from Monday to Wednesday.

According to NiMet’s latest outlook, released on Sunday in Abuja, northern states including Jigawa, Zamfara, Kano, Kaduna, Bauchi, Yobe, and Katsina are expected to experience morning thunderstorms and moderate showers on Monday. “Sunny skies with patches of clouds will dominate other areas of the region,” the agency noted. By afternoon and evening, thunderstorms with moderate rainfall are forecast for Jigawa, Zamfara, Kano, Kaduna, Bauchi, Yobe, Katsina, Kebbi, Adamawa, and Taraba, with a heightened risk of flash floods in Bauchi, Jigawa, Katsina, Kaduna, and Kano.

In the central region, cloudy conditions are anticipated in the morning, with light to moderate rain expected in Niger, Benue, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Plateau, and Nasarawa. “Later in the day, rainfall will intensify in Plateau, Nasarawa, FCT, Kogi, Benue, and Niger,” NiMet stated, highlighting a significant flash flood risk in Plateau State.

The southern region will see cloudy skies in the morning, with light to moderate rainfall predicted for Ondo, Imo, Abia, Enugu, Ebonyi, Anambra, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom later in the day.

On Tuesday, sunny skies with patches of clouds are expected in the north, with morning thunderstorms and moderate rain forecast for Adamawa, Taraba, Yobe, Kaduna, Bauchi, Gombe, Jigawa, Katsina, and Kano. By evening, storms and rain are likely in Adamawa, Taraba, Jigawa, Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, and Kebbi. In the central region, morning showers are expected in Niger, Benue, FCT, Kogi, Plateau, and Nasarawa, with moderate rainfall predicted later in Plateau, Niger, FCT, Kwara, Kogi, and Nasarawa. The south will experience cloudy skies in the morning, with rain possible in Akwa Ibom and Cross River, followed by moderate showers in Abia, Delta, Rivers, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Bayelsa by evening.

For Wednesday, northern states will see sunny skies with patches of clouds, with morning thunderstorms and moderate rain in Kaduna, Kebbi, Taraba, Sokoto, Zamfara, Yobe, Jigawa, Kano, and Katsina. Later, thunderstorms and rainfall are expected in Borno, Jigawa, Kaduna, Taraba, Adamawa, Bauchi, Yobe, Gombe, Zamfara, and Kebbi. The central region will have cloudy skies with morning thunderstorms in Plateau, Niger, FCT, and Nasarawa, followed by moderate rainfall in the FCT, Plateau, Niger, Benue, and Nasarawa by evening. In the south, morning rains are forecast for Ebonyi, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, and Cross River, with moderate to heavy rainfall expected across Ebonyi, Abia, Enugu, Imo, Anambra, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom later in the day.

NiMet urged states at risk of flash flooding to activate emergency response measures. “Avoid driving during heavy rain, ensure vulnerable people stay warm during cooler nights, and take precautions against strong winds preceding storms,” the agency advised. It also recommended securing loose objects, unplugging electrical devices during storms, and avoiding shelter under tall trees.

Airline operators were encouraged to obtain airport-specific weather reports from NiMet for effective planning. The public is advised to stay updated via www.nimet.gov.ng for the latest weather information.