Patrons of air travel have been told to expect disruptions in flight schedules due to the rise in dust from the sahara desert which has already started.
To this end, they have been urged to exercise restraints as there will be delays and cancellations of flights if there is a reduction in visibility as this is for their safety.
In an alert by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMET, while assuring to monitor the weather and give updates, it also appealed to motorists to drive with caution especially in the extreme northern parts of the country.
Director General, NiMET, Prof. Mansur Bako Matazu says, “The Saharan high-pressure cell and its pressure belt across the Saharan deserts with centre value at 1021hPa on 17th is expected intensify further to about 1025hPa on 18th and 1027hPa on both 19th & 20th. The tightening of its (Saharan) pressure gradient is expected to be strengthened on 18th and on 19th November”.
He adds, “more attention is expected especially during the early morning period when horizontal visibility is mostly impaired”.
Prof. Matazu explaining further stated that, significant visibility deterioration is expected on the 20th November in some northern cities such as Maiduguri, Kano, katsina and Sokoto while most parts of the central states are expected to be partly cloudy with sunny intervals, the southern states cloudy with prospects of isolated thunderstorms.
On the health implications of the weather and precautions to take, Prof. Matazu urges Nigerians to keep their body hydrated by drinking water which is crucial to avoiding heat stroke as hot and dry atmospheric condition associated with harmattan could result in heat exhaustion and dehydration.
He also added that, adequate clothing is essential as temperatures at night could be very low.
