The Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMet, has alerted stakeholders and the general public of the possibility of visual deterioration as a result of identified dust haze spreading throughout the country from the source region.
The release from the agency reads that the “weather reports from the country, indicating the approximate position of Inter-Tropical Discontinuity (ITD). Winds at 10 meters and 800 meters (925hPa) above the ground surface indicate favourable conditions for further Dust-Haze propagations into the nation, which will worsen horizontal visibility”.
The release further states that observation from the source region indicates “Niger (Maine-Soroa, Goure, Maradi , N-guigmi, Diffa, 61091, Bila and Agadez) and Chad (Faya-Largeau and Ndjamena) have both reported Dust-Haze with poor horizontal visibility”.
Strong winds at 800m are expected to blow more dust into the country during the next four hours, reducing horizontal vision.
NiMet also reported that THICK DUST HAZE (in poor horizontal visibility, less than 1000m) is likely across Katsina, Kano, Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe, Jigawa, Borno, Adamawa, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, and Kaduna states in the next 24 hours, while Northcentral areas are expected to report MODERATE DUST-HAZE (visibility of 2–5km). The next 72 hours should see this weather condition continue.
As a result, NiMet is advising the public to take the required precautions owing to dust particles now suspended in the atmosphere. Individuals suffering from respiratory ailments are also encouraged to take precautions because the current weather is hazardous to their health.
Cold temperatures at night are to be expected, thus warm clothing is recommended for small children.
Airline companies are also recommended to use NiMet weather information to plan their operations more effectively.
NiMet ensures that its Central Forecast Office (CFO) will continue to monitor weather conditions and offer updates as needed.