NiMET alerts airlines, others on imminent dust haze

In a statement on Wednesday, the agency clarified that the Inter-Tropical Discontinuity, presently around 9.60N Lat, is anticipated to move slightly southwards in the coming 24 hours

Director-General Capt. Chris Najomo

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency has issued a warning to airline operators and the public about the potential onset of dense dust haze, likely causing a decline in horizontal visibility within the next 24 hours.

In a statement on Wednesday, the agency clarified that the Inter-Tropical Discontinuity, presently around 9.60N Lat, is anticipated to move slightly southwards in the coming 24 hours.

The alert emphasized that winds exceeding 10m and 925hPa (700m) are conducive to the propagation of dust haze into the Northern part of the country.

“Stations in the source region (Sahara desert) from Chad (Faya-Largeau, Bol-Berim, Mongo, Abeche and Ndjamena) and sources from Niger, which shares a border with Northern Nigeria (Diffa, Maine-Soroa, Goure, Bila, Maradi, Zinder and Birni-n-Konni), have been reporting dust-haze in poor horizontal visibility between 300m and 5000m in the last 24hrs,” the statement added.

NiMET revealed that due to strong winds, the dust in suspension is likely to spread to some northern states of the country and this is expected to consequently deteriorate horizontal visibility over the Northern parts of the country, especially over Katsina, Kano, Nguru, Jigawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Potiskum and Maiduguri in the next 24 hours.

It, therefore, advised members of the public to take necessary measures due to dust particles presently in suspension over the atmosphere.

However, the agency cautioned people with asthma and other respiratory issues to avoid the present weather situation.

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