NIMET warns public, airlines of dust haze, poor visibility

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) has warned the general public, persons with respiratory problems and airlines about the possibility of reduced visibility due to observed dust haze that has moved into the country from the source region.

A release signed by General Manager, Public Relations, NIME, Muntari Yusuf Ibrahim stated, “the count weather reports indicate the approximate position of Inter-Tropical Discontinuity (ITD). Winds at 10 meters and 800 meters (925hPa) above the ground surface indicate favorable conditions for further propagation of Dust-Haze in the country, which will worsen horizontal visibility.”

The release further stated that observation from the source area indicates that “Niger (Maine-Soroa, Goure, Maradi, N-guigmi, Diffa, 61091, Bila and Agadez) and Chad (Faya-Largeau and Ndjamena) have both reported Dust-Haze with poor horizontal vision”.

NiMET expected strong winds at 800 meters in the coming hours to spread more dust in the country, worsening horizontal visibility, but further revealed that there is a chance of a thick dust haze visibility, less than 1000 m, in the next 24 hours ) over the states of Katsina, Kano, Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe, Jigawa, Borno, Adamawa, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, and Kaduna; while North Central states are expected to report moderate dust haze (visibility of 2-5 km).

Therefore, while these weather conditions are expected to continue for the next 72 hours according to NIMET, the agency advised the public to take necessary precautions due to dust particles currently floating in the atmosphere.

People with respiratory conditions have also been advised to protect themselves as the current weather conditions are not good for their health. Cold temperatures are to be expected at night, according to the agency, adding that warm clothing is advised for small children.

Similarly, airlines are advised to use weather reports from NiMet for effective planning of their operations, even though the agency assured that its Central Forecast Office (CFO) will continue to monitor the weather and provide updates as needed.

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