The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has warned citizens to prepare for three days of thunderstorms from Monday to Wednesday, with an increased risk of urban flooding in major cities due to anticipated heavy rainfall.
In a weather outlook released on Sunday, NiMet advised residents to steer clear of flood-prone areas and take necessary precautions, as strong winds may precede thunderstorms in affected regions.
The forecast indicates morning thunderstorms on Monday over parts of Sokoto, Kebbi, and Borno States, with later thunderstorms expected in Borno, Yobe, Jigawa, Taraba, Adamawa, Gombe, Bauchi, Kano, Katsina, Kaduna, Zamfara, and Sokoto.
Additionally, thunderstorms are anticipated in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Niger, Nasarawa, Benue, Plateau, and Kwara States during the morning. Afternoon and evening storms are expected over Kwara, the FCT, Niger, Benue, and Kogi States.
The southwest region will experience rain in Oyo, Ondo, Osun, Ekiti, and Ogun, extending to coastal states including Lagos, Delta, Rivers, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Bayelsa.
On Tuesday, isolated thunderstorms are forecasted for Taraba, Kaduna, Katsina, Kano, Sokoto, and Zamfara during the morning, with further storms predicted in Borno, Yobe, Jigawa, Bauchi, Taraba, Gombe, and Adamawa later in the day.
Wednesday will see morning thunderstorms in Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa, Borno, Zamfara, Sokoto, and Kebbi, while isolated thunderstorms are expected in Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe, Taraba, Kaduna, Kano, and Katsina.
The agency highlighted that while some areas will experience cloudy skies, significant thunderstorms will impact the Federal Capital Territory, Plateau, Nasarawa, and Benue later in the day.
NiMet urged the public and airline operators to stay informed through their website, www.nimet.gov.ng, for updated weather reports crucial for planning operations. Residents are advised to adhere to safety advisories issued by relevant authorities.
In a related update, the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) reported rising water levels at critical stations along the River Benue, approaching flood levels. As of Saturday, conditions remained at flood preparedness levels. NIHSA has urged twelve flood-prone states to implement measures to mitigate potential flooding.