By John Ikani
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMet, has predicted normal to above normal rainfall from June to August across the nation.
TNiMet Director- General, Professor Mansur Matazu made this known on Tuesday while addressing journalists in Abuja.
According to him, there are strong chances of normal to above normal rainfall over Nigeria for the June-July-August, JJA, season.
“Above-normal rainfall condition is expected over the northern cities such as Bauchi, Dutse, Gombe, Gusau, Zaria, Kano, Lafia, Maiduguri, Nguru, Sokoto and Yelwa.
“For the South, Abeokuta, Eket, Ibadan, Ijebu-Ode, Iseyin, Oshogbo and Shaki may likely have above normal rainfall condition. Ikom and Ogoja may likely experience below normal rainfall conditions,” he said.
Matazu who further predicted strong chances of normal to above normal rainfall in Nigeria during the July-August-September (JAS) season, said the agency envisaged normal rainfall conditions over most parts of the North and coastal states, while the rest of the country would be in normal conditions.
“For the dry spell forecast for June 2021, Yobe, the northern part of Zamfara is likely to observe severe conditions. Kebbi, Sokoto, Katsina, Kano, Jigawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Borno and part of the northern part of Niger are likely to observe moderate conditions.
“Oyo, Kwara, Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa, Plateau, Kaduna, Ekiti and the southern part of Adamawa are likely to observe mild dry spells,” the director-general said.
According to him, Oyo, Kwara and Adamawa will likely observe severe dry spells in July.
He said NiMet forecast moderate dry spells over Niger, Southern part of FCT, Eastern part of Gombe and Kano, Yobe, Northern part of Niger and FCT.
He also said the agency anticipated mild dry spells over Yobe, Jigawa, Katsina, Benue, Kogi, Edo and Ondo States.