The Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMET, has warned that there will be heavy rainfall in Lagos, Ogun, Enugu, Rivers and some parts of Sokoto, Zamfara and others.
The agency also warned the thunder storms should be expected in states like Gombe, Yobe, Kano, Kaduna, Bauchi, Plateau, Taraba and others.
This was made known in a statement on Thursday which warned citizens to avoid low lying areas because of flash floods that may ensue.
It read, “During the forecast period (the next 96hours), HEAVY RAINFALL is anticipated over parts of the southern cities especially the cities of Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Anambra, Imo, Abia, Ebonyi, Enugu, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River State (See places in Red colour while moderate to heavy rainfall is expected over parts of the FCT, Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Katsina, Kano, Jigawa, Yobe, Kaduna, Bauchi, Gombe, Borno, Plateau, Nasarawa, Niger, Kwara, Kogi, Benue, Osun and Ekiti State (See places in Orange colour)
“Organized THUNDERSTORMS (cold cloud) are presently over the north-eastern flank of the country and are expected to move westwards to affect parts of Gombe, Yobe, Kano, Kaduna, Bauchi, Plateau, Taraba, Niger, Nasarawa and the FCT, giving them moderate to heavy rainfall in the next 2 – 6 hours (See places in Orange colours. Furthermore, there are prospects of continuous rains over the southern part of the country with chances of flash flood, temporary disruption of traffic and other outdoor activities.
“The rains are expected to be continuous especially over the south with chances of flash flooding of roads, low-lying settlements and river channels. Also, the moderate to heavy rainfall events are expected to be accompanied by strong winds especially over parts of northwest such as Kano, Jigawa, Yobe, Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Borno, Bauchi, Plateau and environs during the forecast period.
“Hence, the public is advised to avoid low-lying areas, not to drive through running water, clear water ways of debris, avoid standing under trees and unsecured structures during the rain, switch off electrical appliances before the rains and not during it to avoid electric shock, and be prepared for this event to avoid damages from weather-related hazard and watch out for updates. Elsewhere (See places in Green), no hydrometeorological hazards are anticipated.”