NIMET WARNS AGAINST LIKELY FLOOD.

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) has again warned Nigerians to take precaution during the raining season in order to avoid another flood disaster in the country.

Evaluating the update on the 2013 rainfall pattern in the country from January to May 2013, the Director General NIMET, Dr Anthony Anuforom called on Nigerians to ensure that gutters and drainage systems were cleared of debris for easy flow of water to ensure that there will be no barriers in the water channels.

Dr Anuforom explained that from January to May in the last 30 years, reports have shown that there were slightly higher rains than normal adding that more rains has been recorded this year than last year in some areas like Abeokuta, Calabar, Ijebu Ode Lokoja among others.

The NIMET boss announced that in Ogun and Calabar that the soil moisture was becoming saturated affirming that there was no cause for alarm as the agency was close monitoring water deficit as on set dates for rains varies in the different areas.

“Most of the areas, we have slightly higher rains than normal, higher than what happened last year. Of course in other areas like Ilorin and Jos, the amount of rainfall is lower from what we had last year. We are saying that heavier rains have been recorded in Calabar, Abeokuta, Lagos, Ijebu Ode, Akure Ibadan etc, than the same period last year”   

According to Dr Anuforom, heavy rains do not mean that it will be flooded each time it rained but precaution must be taking.

Dr Anuforom explained that all the information was obtained from the agency’s observations and not from the internet adding that the information can only be obtained from NIMET  office forecast centre only.

The NIMET boss assured Nigerians that the agency will continue to provide accurate weather information with the caliber of professionals and equipment on ground at the agency’s weather forecast centre.

Dr Anuforom explained that NIMET cannot give any misinformation regarding weather forecast from the agency as they were highly level and respected professionals in the agency but stated that if there was any mistake that it will be human error.