The Central Forecast Office of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) has alerted the general public, especially those in the northern states, to possible reduced horizontal visibility in upcoming days, owing to the phasing-in of harmattan conveying dust plumes from Chad.
The official statement from NiMET’s Forecast Office reads, “Dust haze conditions are expected to intensify before the end of the day over most of the northern cities. Horizontal visibility should further deteriorate from 0600 local time of 15 December, 2021, as thick dust haze should be observed over some of the northern cities, keeping visibility to 1000m and below over places like Maiduguri, Yobe, Nguru, Potiskum, Dutse, Gombe, Yola, Bauchi, Katsina, Kano and Kaduna.”
Consequently, NiMET predicts a possible interference in airline operations in the affected northern cities aforementioned, and cautions those suffering from respiratory tract ailments alongside road users to take extra precaution during this time of year.
The Agency also warns of high temperatures (35°C – 40°C) in the forthcoming days, and urges everyone to rehydrate frequently; to avoid wearing dark clothing, as these are good heat absorbers; and to stay clear of air-tight and other enclosed spaces. The states particularly concerned include certain states in the North-East (Adamawa and Taraba); North-West (Zamfara, Sokoto, Kaduna, Kebbi); South (Cross River, Ogun, Ondo, Imo, Oyo, Anambra, Ebonyi, Edo, Enugu) and North-Central (Plateau, Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, FCT, Nasarawa).
