NiMet predicts early rainfall in Borno, Abia, others

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has disclosed that Borno, Abia and Akwa Ibom states are expected to have early rains in 2024.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, stated this at the public presentation of the 2024 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) organised by NiMet on Tuesday in Abuja with the theme: “Facilitating a weather resilient economy through early warnings for all to foster renewed hope and sustainable development”.

Keyamo said, “Borno, Abia and Akwa Ibom states are predicted to have an early onset when compared to their long-term averages. Also, an early end of the season is predicted for parts of Yobe, Jigawa, Sokoto, Kebbi, Kano, Kaduna, Plateau, Nasarawa Taraba, Gombe, Bauchi, Cross River, Ebonyi, Ogun and Lagos states.

“However, a late cessation is predicted over the Southern states of Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Ondo, Ekiti and parts of Edo, Delta, Ogun, Oyo, Kogi, Kwara, FCT, Niger and Kaduna states.”

Keyamo further said the annual rainfall amount was predicted to be below normal over parts of Yobe, Jigawa, Bauchi, Kano, Kebbi, Gombe, Plateau, Taraba, Nasarawa, Benue, Enugu, Ebonyi, Cross River, Delta and Bayelsa states when compared to their long-term normal.

“Most parts of the country are expected to experience a shorter length of season. However, Bayelsa, Rivers and Akwa Ibom are likely to experience a longer length of season when compared with their mean. Normal to shorter lengths of season will likely occur in other parts of the country.”

Earlier in his remarks, the Director General of NiMet and Permanent Representative of Nigeria in the World Meteorological Organisation, Prof Charles Anosike, said the agency was committed to “Facilitating a weather-resilient economy through early warnings for all to foster renewed hope and sustainable development which is at the forefront of planning and economic agenda.”