NiMet Releases 2023 Seasonal Rainfall Prediction

Forecasts Onsets of rain in southern and northern Nigeria from March and July respectively

Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) says the earliest onset of rainfall, this year, will likely occur on or around the 2nd of March 2023 in Bayelsa, Rivers and Akwa Ibom states, while the inland cities of the south will likely experience the rains in April.

States in extreme North such as Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Kano, Katsina, Jigawa, Yobe and Borno are expected to witness rainfall onset between the 20th June and 7th of July.

The Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi sirika made this known at the unveiling of of the 2023 seasonal climate prediction in Abuja.

He said that strong windstorm accross the country and sandstorms in extreme northern States will likely occur prior to the onset days.

According to him, an 8 to 16 days dry spell is predicted to occur in April in South and a severe dry spell of 15 to 21 days in the north from June to early July in parts of Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, Jigawa, Katsina, Yobe, Borno, and Kano States.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Aviation, Dr. Emmanuel Meribole said last year’s devastating flood that destroyed 5 thousand farm lands, killed 600 hundred people and displaced one point t three million people could have been averted with early action and preparation by those affected.

The President of the All Farmers’ Association of Nigeria, Architect Kabiru Ibrahim said NiMet’s prediction over the years had been helpful in attaining better yields.

The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, noted that the traditional use of rain vane and wind gauge in primary and secondary schools needed to be reintroduced to instill the consciousness of the environment in young minds.

This year’s seaso al climate prediction theme is tagged “Strengthening Climate Risk Early Warning Services for Improved Food Security and Disaster Risk Reduction in Nigeria”

By Adaku

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