By Atoyebi Nike
Heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and a risk of flooding are expected across Nigeria from Monday through Wednesday, according to a three-day forecast by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).
In its weather outlook issued on Sunday in Abuja, the agency said Monday would begin with thunderstorms in the northern region, with moderate rainfall over parts of Sokoto, Kebbi, Adamawa, and Taraba States. Later in the day, thunderstorms are projected to extend to Bauchi, Borno, Kaduna, Kano, Jigawa, Taraba, and Adamawa States. NiMet also highlighted a high risk of flooding in Katsina, Kebbi, Zamfara, and Sokoto during the forecast period.
In the central region, light rain is expected in parts of Niger State in the morning, followed by thunderstorms and light showers across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Plateau, Niger, Nasarawa, Benue, and Kogi later in the day. Flooding is also considered highly likely in parts of Plateau, Nasarawa, and Niger States.
For the southern region, cloudy skies with intermittent light rain are predicted in Ebonyi, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom during the morning, with moderate rain expected later in the day across Enugu, Edo, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Osun, Abia, Cross River, Rivers, Delta, and Akwa Ibom. The agency warned of flood risks in Delta, Imo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom.
On Tuesday, thunderstorms with moderate rain are forecast for Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe, Taraba, Adamawa, Katsina, and Kaduna in the morning, spreading to Bauchi, Borno, Kano, Jigawa, Kaduna, Sokoto, and Gombe in the afternoon and evening. The central region will see light morning rains in the FCT, Niger, Nasarawa, Plateau, Benue, and Kogi, followed by thunderstorms later in the day. The southern states, including Oyo, Ebonyi, Enugu, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Cross River, Lagos, and Bayelsa, are expected to experience light morning rains, with showers persisting in most areas later.
For Wednesday, morning thunderstorms with moderate rainfall are anticipated in Bauchi, Adamawa, Taraba, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara, continuing through the afternoon across the entire northern region. In the central region, Kwara, Niger, Kogi, and Plateau will see light morning rain, followed by widespread thunderstorms later. The south will have light rain in Enugu, Ebonyi, Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Edo, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Delta, and Bayelsa in the morning, with continuous rainfall expected later in the day.
NiMet advised motorists to avoid driving during heavy downpours and called on states prone to flash flooding to activate emergency response systems. Farmers were urged to delay fertilizer and pesticide application to prevent nutrient loss, while residents were reminded to secure loose objects, dress warmly against low nighttime temperatures, unplug electrical devices during storms, and avoid tall trees.
Airline operators were also encouraged to obtain location-specific weather updates from NiMet for safer flight planning.
