NiMet Advises on Weather Forecasts for Effective Planning

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has advised governments, emergency managers, and relevant bodies to use weather forecasts for better planning and disaster response.

This recommendation came from NiMet’s Director of Applied Meteorological Services, Mrs. Glory Onyegbule, during the National Emergency Coordination Forum organized by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in Abuja on Thursday.

Onyegbule explained that NiMet issued seasonal climate predictions for the entire country.

“In the seasonal climate prediction, we predicted the onset dates of the rainy season. We also predicted deposition dates, the expected annual rainfall amount, and the length of the rainy season,” she said.

She added that the agency compared these predictions to long-term averages. “We also compared the impact of all these predictions to long-time averages.”

Deviations were particularly noticeable in the North East, including Maiduguri and Bauchi. “We saw that there were deviations, especially in areas such as the North East—places such as Maiduguri and Bauchi—and we made this available to Nigerians in time.”

Onyegbule mentioned that despite the updates, weather conditions continued to change unexpectedly.

“Within this season, we saw that there were more deviations because weather is not really under anyone’s control, and we were issuing updates as events were occurring,” she noted.

Call to Action for Emergency Managers

Onyegbule pointed out that reflects the impact of climate change. She urged emergency managers to act quickly and emphasized the importance of maintaining dam integrity. “Flooding might continue to reoccur unless enough efforts are made early to address issues in floodplains.We should listen to weather reports and put them to use,” she warned.

Mr. Trond Jensen, Head of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, also spoke at the forum. He mentioned that his office is working with NEMA, state emergency management agencies, the military, and other stakeholders to assist those affected by flooding in Borno.

Speaking virtually from Borno, Jensen said, “The organization’s team was already in Maiduguri supporting the Nigerian government to assist those affected by the flooding.”

He highlighted ongoing efforts to provide essential resources, including food and clean water, to prevent disease outbreaks and protect vulnerable populations.

“We have activated the humanitarian system and are working together with local authorities and state authorities in terms of mapping the needs, where they are,” Jensen said.

Jensen also noted that the UN team is preparing for potential flooding in Adamawa in the coming week. They will work with the Adamawa governor’s office to ensure proper preparations and reduce vulnerabilities.

“With that, we can reduce the vulnerability in terms of finding alternative shelter, etc., in terms of making sure that people are prepared for potential flooding,” he explained.

“For the rest of the country, of course, we are working with NEMA in terms of supporting as best as we can in terms of getting a good gauge on where needs are.”

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