Heavy rains, thunderstorms and strong winds to hit FCT, Ondo, Osun and 26 states, NiMet warns

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has issued a warning of heavy rains, thunderstorms and strong winds that will affect the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and 29 states in the next three days.

The states affected are:

• Sokoto
• Kebbi
• Zamfara
• Kaduna
• Niger
• FCT
• Plateau
• Nasarawa
• Kano
• Jigawa
• Yobe
• Borno
• Adamawa
• Bauchi
• Kogi
• Taraba
• Cross River
• Ebonyi
• Abia
• Imo
• Delta
• Bayelsa
• Akwa Ibom
• Ogun
• Ondo
• Edo
• Osun
• Gombe
• Rivers

According to NiMet’s ‘Heavy Rainfall Forecast Bulletin’, the rainfall will be moderate to heavy and will be accompanied by strong winds and thunderstorms. This could lead to flash floods, poor visibility and damage to weak structures in the affected areas.

NiMet advised the public to exercise caution during the rainy period and avoid flood waters and standing or parking cars under trees. It also urged emergency agencies, such as the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), to be prepared for any eventuality.

The bulletin was released hours after the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) dismissed the belief that the opening of the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon contributes heavily to flooding in Nigeria. NIHSA clarified that the recent floods in Nigeria were caused by flash floods, poorly constructed or lack of proper flood channels and inadequate drainage systems across the country.

NIHSA’s Director-General Clement Nze told reporters in Abuja that the Lagdo Dam was closed a few hours after the Cameroonian authorities opened it on Monday.

He said that the water release from the dam was negligible and would not cause any flooding downstream. He added that even if the Lagdo Dam were to collapse, its impact would not go past Numan in Adamawa State.

Nze said that NIHSA would continue to monitor water flows in rivers Niger and Benue and assured the public that there was no threat of floods. He appealed for calm and said that flood warnings had been given to the states affected adversely since February.

Nze also advocated for the construction of earth dams on the tributaries of the Niger and Benue rivers as well as the speedy completion of the Kashimbila Dam in Adamawa State. He also clarified that the 2016 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Nigeria and Cameroon does not require Cameroon to inform Nigeria before opening or closing the Lagdo Dam.

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