The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) has warned
Nigerians to clear drains because of imminent heavy rainstorms that may
lead to serious flooding between August and October.
NIMET gave this warning in a statement on Saturday in Abuja, signed by Mr Eleazar Obende of the agency’s Public Relations Unit.
“In
keeping with the mandate to monitor the 2012 Seasonal Rainfall
Prediction (SRP) and give updates as and when necessary, NIMET has
observed wetter-than-normal soil surface moisture and groundwater
conditions in some parts of the country over the past 12 months.
“The
northern sector of the country will experience peak rainfall during
August to October season, the effect of the wetter-than-normal
conditions observed is the prospects of the occurrence of above-normal
rainfall, which may lead to surface run-off.
“The flooding
incidents that may accompany further one-day high rainfall events in and
around Lagos, Ogun, Delta, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Gombe, Kano,
Katsina and Jigawa states will leave in its trail devastation and
destruction.”
The agency noted that similar incidents were recorded in some parts of the country some months ago.
It
will be recalled that NIMET in its SRP, released in February, informed
Nigerians that there would be normal rainfall season across the country.
The
SRP, however, noted that “although there will be normal rainfall season
in many parts of the country for 2012, that normal rainfall trend in
any area can cause flooding and associated consequences.
“Such consequences are mainly because of the people’s attitude of dumping refuse in water channels and the drains.”
It,
however, advised government and people in the states to endeavour to
clear drains as there was high prospect of high intensity or
long-lasting rains occurring during August to October, 2012 as
predicted.
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