NiMet Forecasts Nationwide Rain, Warns of Possible Flash Floods

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has forecast thundery and rainy conditions across the country from Monday to Wednesday, warning of potential flash floods in several states during the period.

According to the weather outlook released on Sunday in Abuja, Monday is expected to begin with morning thunderstorms and moderate rainfall over parts of Adamawa, Taraba, Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Jigawa, Kano, and Katsina in the northern region. Thunderstorms and moderate rain are likely to continue across the entire region into the afternoon and evening. There is a high risk of flooding in parts of Adamawa, Taraba, and Bauchi States.

In the central region, light rainfall is expected in the morning over Benue, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Niger, Kogi, and Nasarawa States. Later in the day, these conditions are projected to extend to Kwara and Plateau States.

The southern region is expected to experience cloudy skies with light morning rain over Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo, Abia, Anambra, Ogun, Edo, Delta, Lagos, Rivers, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Bayelsa. Light rainfall is likely to persist across much of the region into the afternoon and evening hours. NiMet highlighted the possibility of flooding in Oyo, Ogun, Edo, and Delta States during this period.

On Tuesday, the northern region will again see morning thunderstorms with moderate rains in Taraba, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Kaduna, and Zamfara, extending to other areas later in the day. The central states, including the FCT, Niger, Nasarawa, Kwara, Kogi, Plateau, and Benue, are expected to experience intermittent light rain throughout the day. The southern region is likely to remain cloudy with light, scattered showers over Ebonyi, Imo, Abia, Enugu, Anambra, Ondo, Ekiti, Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Lagos, Edo, Delta, Rivers, Bayelsa, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom. NiMet flagged a high flood risk in Anambra, Delta, Bayelsa, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom States.

By Wednesday, the northern region is expected to see morning thunderstorms with moderate rain in Taraba and Kaduna, while other parts such as Borno, Bauchi, Gombe, Jigawa, Yobe, Kano, and Adamawa may experience isolated thunderstorms later in the day. In the central region, light rain is forecast in Nasarawa, Niger, and the FCT in the morning, with intermittent rain continuing in the afternoon across other areas including Kwara, Kogi, Plateau, and Benue. The southern region is expected to remain cloudy with light rains in the morning over Ebonyi, Abia, Imo, Enugu, Anambra, Lagos, Edo, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, and Cross River, with rainfall continuing across the region later in the day. Bayelsa is particularly at high risk of flooding.

NiMet advised the public to avoid driving during heavy downpours and encouraged residents in flood-prone areas to activate emergency response plans. Vulnerable individuals are advised to wear warm clothing due to low night-time temperatures. People are also urged to secure loose outdoor objects, disconnect electrical appliances during storms, and avoid standing under trees. The agency encouraged Nigerians to stay updated through regular weather reports on its official website, www.nimet.gov.ng. Airline operators were reminded to obtain airport-specific forecasts from NiMet for proper flight planning.