'Prepare well' - NiMet releases list of 21 states expected to witness heavy rain in next 24 hours

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted that there will be heavy rainfall in about 21 states in the country on Friday, September 8.

The weather forecast released by NiMet on Thursday, September 7, indicates that some parts of Kwara and Niger states will witness heavy rainfall on Friday.

Legit.ng gathers that 20 other states listed by the agency will experience moderate to heavy rainfalls.

According to the forecast, the 24-hour heavy rainfall will range from moderate rainfall to flash flooding, riverine flooding, soil erosion, strong winds, thunder and lightning.

This development may spike the fears of fears of flooding in many parts of the country, especially as the rainy season peaks.

Moving further, NiMet predicted moderate to heavy rainfall on Saturday, September 9, in parts of Rivers, Delta, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Yobe, Benue, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Zamfara and Sokoto states.

In Borno, Bauchi, Kaduna, and Niger states, the agency predicted low to moderate rainfall on Saturday.

According to Nimet, there are slim prospects of moderate to heavy rainfall in parts of Enugu, Anambra, Imo, Delta, Bayelsa and River states on Sunday, September 10.

Low to moderate Rainfall is predicted in parts of Borno, Gombe, Yobe, Bauchi, Plateau, Kano, Katsina, Kaduna, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Oyo, Nasarawa, Benue, Kogi, Cross River, Edo, Rivers and Imo states.

The agency further predicted that there are good chances of very strong winds affecting parts of Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Kano, Jigawa, Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa, Taraba, Plateau and Kaduna states, Daily Trust reported.

Considering the forecast, NiMet warned the authorities and citizens of possible isolated cases of displacements of people due to flash floods.

It also warned of outbreaks of water-borne diseases and isolated cases of damage to weak structures.

According to NiMet, the weather situation could also lead to loss of lives, injuries, reduction in visibility, and interruption of vehicular traffic.

It, therefore, advised the disaster response management authorities to raise awareness among the people and update flood contingency plans.

Below are the states listed for heavy rainfall:

Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Kano, Bauchi, Kaduna, Plateau, Oyo, Kogi, Nasarawa, Benue, Adamawa, Taraba, Cross River, Imo, Ondo, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers.