The Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) has predicted that air and road travel operators and passengers in the Nigeria may witness travel disruptions because of likely poor horizontal visibility in the northern part of the country as the North East Trade Wind has started raising dust in Niger and Chad Republics.
While NiMET urged airline operators to ensure they get adequate weather briefings and comply with flight regulations before embarking on any flight operation in the region of the country, it also warned motorists and persons with respiratory ailments to reduce speed while engaging in driving and outdoor activities respectively, because of the poor horizontal visibility and the dust in the atmosphere.
The meteorological agency, in a statement made available to the media this afternoon, warned that flight crews must get adequate weather briefings before embark on their flights just as it urged motorists to be careful while driving because the dust would reduce visibility.
“Currently dust in suspension over Chad Republic and Niger Republic. This fresh dust is expected to be transported into the northern parts of Nigeria. Therefore a further reduction in horizontal visibility is anticipated,” the statement said.
NIMET added, “The dust is expected to be transported into Nigeria within the next six hours from the time of issue of this alert, it will further deteriorate the horizontal visibility over most parts of the North to 4000-2000m, localized reduction in visibility to less than 1000m is expected in places like Maiduguri, Nguru, Potiskum, Dutse, Gombe, Yola, Bauchi, Katsina and Kano.
“Flight operations are expected to be disrupted; therefore, airline operators are required to collect their flight folders and adhere to regulations, especially at aerodromes in the Northern parts of the country.
“Road users are advised to drive slowly and carefully due to poor visibility during this period.
People with respiratory ailment should take caution and reduce their outdoor activities, NiMET cautioned.
The weather monitoring and forecast agency assured that it would continue to monitor and report the weather situation as they unfolded
“The Nigerian Meteorological Agency will continue to monitor the weather and keep you updated,”the statement said.
