The Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMet, has warned of a high possibility of flooding in parts of Imo, Abia, Ebonyi, Akwa Ibom and Cross River as it forecast cloudy, thundery weather and moderate to heavy rainfall across several parts of the country from Wednesday to Friday.
In its three-day weather outlook released in Abuja, the agency predicted morning rains over parts of Lagos, Ondo, Ogun, Oyo, Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Cross River, Abia, Imo, Ebonyi and Akwa Ibom on Wednesday, with moderate rains expected over most parts of the southern region later in the day.
For the North, NiMet forecast patches of clouds with chances of morning thunderstorms and light rains over parts of Taraba and Kebbi, while isolated thunderstorms with moderate rains were expected later over parts of Taraba, Borno, Yobe, Bauchi, Sokoto, Katsina, Zamfara, Jigawa, Kano and Kaduna.
In the North-Central region, morning thunderstorms accompanied by light rains were expected over parts of Nasarawa, Niger, Benue and the Federal Capital Territory, with moderate rains forecast over most parts of the region later in the day.
On Thursday, NiMet predicted morning thunderstorms and light rains over parts of Jigawa, Kano, Borno, Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe and Kaduna, with moderate thunderstorms expected across several northern states later in the day.
The agency also forecast sunny conditions with patches of clouds across the North-Central region, alongside chances of morning thunderstorms over parts of Abuja, Nasarawa, Plateau, Niger and Benue, followed by moderate rains later in the day.
In the South, light morning rains were expected over parts of Ondo, Ogun, Abia, Imo, Enugu, Ebonyi, Lagos, Akwa Ibom and Cross River, with continuous rains anticipated over most parts of the region later on Thursday.
NiMet specifically identified Imo, Abia, Ebonyi, Akwa Ibom and Cross River as areas with a high possibility of flooding during the forecast period.
For Friday, the agency forecast partly cloudy skies over the northern region, with chances of moderate thunderstorms over Taraba and Adamawa in the morning and several other northern states later in the day.
Across the North-Central region, sunny skies with patches of clouds and chances of morning thunderstorms were expected over parts of Abuja, Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa and Niger, followed by moderate rains later in the day.
The southern region is expected to remain cloudy, with prospects of moderate morning rains over parts of Ondo, Ebonyi, Lagos, Ogun, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River, while moderate rains are expected over most parts of the region later in the day.
NiMet also warned that strong winds may precede rainfall in areas where thunderstorms are likely, urging residents in affected areas to remain alert during the forecast period.
