…Warns airline, road user of low visibility, flight cancellation
By Dwelleth Morountodun
The Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has expressed concern over the emergence of fresh dust haze that may likely envelop Nigeria’s atmosphere.
According to Mr. Zakariyau Abdulrasheed, who signed a statement on behalf of the Director Weather Forecasting in the agency, on Tuesday, he said strong North-easterly winds of about 20kt at the surface and 40kt at about 900m above have been observed over the region.
A fresh dust plume is therefore expected to propagate into the country in the next 24 hours and this will further deteriorate horizontal visibilities across the country.
This, according to him, may be responsible for the lifting and southward propagation of dust into the country, adding that some stations over the northern parts of the country are already in hazy conditions with visibility as low as 200m especially over north eastern cities
He said: “Combined with the dust already in suspension for the past two days, further deterioration in horizontal visibilities to values below 1000m is expected especially over the northern parts of the country.
“Southward transportation of the dust is anticipated to further deteriorate the horizontal visibility over the central states and the southern cities in dust haze condition with visibility ranging from 1500 – 5000m. Some cities over these regions are expected to be in visibility less than 1000m.’
According to him, the expected state of the atmosphere in the coming days will likely disrupt flight operations; cancellation and delay of flights at some airports across the country are anticipated especially over the Northern cities.
Road users are also advised to exercise caution and avoid over speeding especially during early morning period when horizontal visibility is impaired by fog, mist or dust haze.
Due to increased concentration of dust, people allergic to dust are advised to take necessary precautions, reduce their exposure to dust and take their medications to alleviate its effect on their health.