NIMET alerts on anticipated weather pattern

New Telegraph reports that the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) has advised citizenry, especially rural dwellers resident in the north and central parts of the country, to avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight and stay in cool and ventilated environment as a result of the rise in temperature.

According to New Telegraph, the agency stated that the increase in temperatures would result in deterioration in human comfort leading to dehydration and heat stress. It also disclosed that incidences of meningitis epidemics are also likely.

The agency in a statement Thursday said the dry season (harmattan) for 2016/2017 has commenced in the northern parts of the country and will gradually spread to other parts beginning from the middle belt by mid-November, New Telegraph reports.

New Telegraph reports that the Director-General of NIMET, Dr. Anthony Anuforom disclosed that the southern most parts of the country especially the coastal area will, however, continue to experience rains till the third week of December, stressing that the end of the rainy season will heralds hot and dry weather conditions in the afternoons and cold nights will set in especially in the northern part, with a general increase in daytime temperature across most parts of the country.

“Strong surface winds at the dust source regions in Niger and Chad republics is favourable for lifting and transport of dust into the country. The atmosphere will get drier as the concentration of the dust particles increases, and incidences of respiratory disorder will become prevalent.

Dust outbreaks will occur during the season which at times will reduce horizontal visibility significantly with the attendant disruption of flight operations across the country.”