48-Hour Heavy Rainfall Alert Issued by Nigerian Meteorological Agency for Multiple States

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency has issued a weather advisory for residents of the Federal Capital Territory, Edo, Kwara, and 22 other states, warning of a 48-hour period of heavy rainfall commencing on Thursday. In their weekly heavy rainfall forecast bulletin released on Wednesday, the agency also cautioned residents to prepare for possible flash floods.

The affected states include Katsina, Kano, Jigawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Plateau, Borno, Adamawa, Taraba, Kaduna, Niger, Nasarawa, Kogi, Enugu, Delta, Bayelsa, Abia, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ebonyi, Kwara, and Benue.

According to the bulletin, "Moderate to Heavy Rainfall is expected within the forecast period (Thursday, 28th, and Friday, 29th, September 2023) over parts of Katsina, Kano, Jigawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Plateau, Borno, Adamawa, Taraba, Kaduna, Niger, Nasarawa, Kogi, Enugu, Edo, Delta, and Bayelsa. Other States are: Abia, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ebonyi, Kwara, Benue State, and the Federal Capital Territory."

NiMet also cautioned that strong winds are likely to accompany the rains, with the strongest winds expected in specific regions, including Adamawa, Borno, Gombe, Bauchi, Yobe, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, and Kebbi State.

Residents are advised to avoid driving through surface runoff waters, as they may contain strong undercurrents. Additionally, slippery road surfaces and reduced visibility are expected to be hazards associated with the heavy rainfall.