How anticipated weather pattern could affect air, road transportation-NIMET

The Nigerian Meteorolgical Agency (NIMET) has advised citizenry, especially rural dwellers resident in 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 increase in temperature.

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 today 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.

The Director-General of NIMET, Dr. Anthony Anuforom disclosed that the southernmost 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.”

Anuforom explained that the impact of dust particle in the south will include the occurrence of early morning and late evening mist/foggy conditions which will further reduce horizontal visibility significantly.

He said road, rail and air transportation could be affected by the impairment to horizontal visibility and road users, particularly motorists are advised to use fog lamps during periods of poor visibility.

They are also advised to drive carefully and adhere strictly to road traffic rules at all times.

Persons prone to respiratory tract infections and other health conditions that can be exacerbated by dust particles, he reiterated should take precautionary measures and avoid prolonged exposure to dust, with skin and eye irritations common occurrences during the season.

“The consequence of the dry atmosphere will also result in availability of dry biomass and incidences of bush fires may occur frequently. The deliberate act of ‘bush burning’ and careless dropping of cigarette stubs should be avoided as this could lead to uncontrollable bush fires”, he added.

NiMet stated that it would continue to monitor the weather and climate conditions as they unfold and will keep the general public informed regularly.