NiMet warns of nationwide thunderstorms, flash flood risks

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has forecast thunderstorms, rainfall, and the possibility of flash floods across various parts of the country from Monday to Wednesday.

In a weather outlook released on Sunday in Abuja, the agency said morning thunderstorms with moderate rainfall are expected on Monday in parts of Adamawa, Taraba, Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Jigawa, Kano, and Katsina.

Thunderstorms and moderate rain will continue into the afternoon and evening hours across the entire northern region. There is a high risk of flooding in Adamawa, Taraba, and Bauchi states during this period.

In the central region, light rain is expected on Monday morning in Benue, the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, Kogi, and Nasarawa, with continued rainfall in the afternoon and evening in Nasarawa, Kwara, Kogi, Plateau, Niger, Benue, and the FCT. The southern region will experience cloudy skies with light morning rain in Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo, Anambra, Abia, Ogun, Edo, Delta, Lagos, Rivers, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Bayelsa. Later in the day, light rain is expected in Abia, Imo, Ebonyi, Anambra, Osun, Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, Ekiti, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Lagos, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom. NiMet identified Oyo, Ogun, Edo, and Delta as areas with a high likelihood of flooding.

On Tuesday, the northern region will see morning thunderstorms and moderate rain in Taraba, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Kaduna, and Zamfara, with more rainfall expected across the entire region later in the day. Intermittent light rain is predicted in the central region, including the FCT, Niger, Nasarawa, Kwara, Kogi, Plateau, and Benue.

The southern region will have cloudy skies and light rain throughout the day in Ebonyi, Imo, Abia, Enugu, Anambra, Ondo, Ekiti, Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Lagos, Edo, Delta, Rivers, Bayelsa, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom. Flash flood risks remain high in Anambra, Delta, Bayelsa, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom.

Wednesday’s forecast includes morning thunderstorms with moderate rain in parts of Taraba and Kaduna in the north, followed by isolated thunderstorms and rain in Borno, Bauchi, Taraba, Kaduna, Gombe, Yobe, Jigawa, Kano, and Adamawa. Light morning rain is expected in Nasarawa, Niger, and the FCT, with intermittent rain continuing in the afternoon and evening across the FCT, Niger, Nasarawa, Kwara, Kogi, Plateau, and Benue. In the southern region, light morning rain is expected in Ebonyi, Abia, Imo, Enugu, Anambra, Lagos, Edo, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, and Cross River, with rainfall continuing later in the day. Bayelsa is expected to be at high risk of flooding during this period.

NiMet advised the public to avoid driving during heavy rain and called for immediate activation of emergency responses in flood-prone areas.

Residents are urged to wear warm clothing during cooler nights, secure loose objects, unplug electrical appliances during storms, and avoid tall trees.

The agency also encouraged airline operators to obtain airport-specific weather reports for flight planning. Members of the public are advised to stay informed by following NiMet’s official website for updates.