The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has warned Nigerians, especially persons with asthmatic and other respiratory health conditions, to exercise caution amid prevailing weather conditions across the country.
The warning was contained in NiMet’s weather outlook released on Sunday.
The agency said dust particles are currently in suspension across several parts of the country, posing health and visibility risks.
NiMet advised members of the public to take necessary precautions, noting that weather conditions could affect health, transportation, and aviation operations.
“Driving under the rain should be with caution. Airline operators are advised to get airport-specific weather reports (flight documentation) from NiMet for effective planning in their operations,” They stated.
The agency also urged residents to stay updated on weather conditions, advising them to stay informed through weather updates from NiMet, and to visit its website at www.nimet.gov.ng.
According to the agency, haziness and sunshine are expected across the country from Monday to Wednesday.
For Tuesday, NiMet said moderate dust haze is expected over parts of Borno, Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe, Yola, and Taraba states, while the rest of the northern region will experience slight dust haze.
“Sunny skies with few patches of clouds are anticipated over the southern region with chances of isolated thunderstorms and light rains over Ogun, Bayelsa, Rivers, Lagos, Delta, Cross River and Akwa Ibom states,” they said
Dust haze is a weather phenomenon that occurs when fine dust particles, often from desert regions, are carried by wind into the atmosphere. This creates a hazy or foggy appearance that reduces visibility, sometimes to less than 1,000 meters.
It is common in arid and semi-arid regions, particularly in Africa, including countries like Nigeria, where seasonal winds bring in dust from the Sahara Desert.
The particles suspended in the air can pose significant health risks, especially for individuals with respiratory conditions like asthma, as the dust irritates the airways and can worsen symptoms.