The Director General, Nigeria Meteorological Agency, NiMet, Prof. Mansur Matazu says, the rainfall amount this year will be normal in most places but flash floods should be expected.
This he said, would be due to the short- duration, high-intensity rainfall that characterized the onset months which usually comes along with flash floods due to excess runoffs and disastrous wind gusts.
Prof. Matazu who stated this at the Public Presentation of the disaster risk management implications of the 2022 flood predictions by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)in Abuja said, it is no news Climate is changing and this is a global reality with local evidences and attendant impacts.
Explaining further, he said, over the last three decades, Nigeria had witnessed tremendous increase in temperature and rainfall
amount with increased occurrences of high intensity, short duration thunderstorms always accompanied by strong winds and flash floods.
‘Hence, the essence of early warnings and impacted-based predictions. Climate change discourse is never complete without reference to the oceans as one of the key drivers in addition to greenhouse gases”.
He attributed the extreme weather occurrences to greenhouse gas concentrations, sea level rise, ocean heat and ocean acidification which are on the increase with harmful and long-lasting ramifications for sustainable development and ecosystems as published by World Meteorological Organization, adding that, this was the essence of early warnings and impacted-based predictions.
“According to the WMO Secretary General, extreme weather has the most immediate impact on our daily lives and Early Warning Systems are critically required for climate adaptation”.
Prof. Matazu therefore called on the States, the media, private entities, and all Nigerians to carefully consider the 2002 Disaster Risk Management by NEMA for proactive decisions and policies that would help avoid losses and strengthen mitigation, adaptation and reduction of risks associated with floods.
He urged the gathering and all Nigerians to take advantage of other NiMet arrays of other Early Warning Products and Services which include; Marine Bulletin, Hydro-meteorological Bulletin, Agro-meteorological bulletin, Climate and Health bulletin, High Impact Forecast bulletin, Heavy Rainfall Forecast bulletin, Daily Weather Outlook among others.
He said, these are issued from time to time including regular updates to the Seasonal Climate Predictions.
“Please take advantage of these products and avoid actions that could jeopardize efforts being made by NEMA, NIHSA and NiMet and all actors in averting and managing risks associated with weather and climate and other naturally occurring
disasters”.
