NiMet Sends Warning To Asthmatic Patients, Others Over Looming Dust Haze

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has warned Nigerians especially asthmatic patients of looming threat of dense dust hazes set to blanket the northern regions within the next 24 hours.

The Agency advised airline operators, patients with asthma and other respiratory diseases to be cautious of the predicted weather situation.

NiMet gave the warning via its X handle.

The statement reads, “The Inter-Tropical Discontinuity, ITD (currently at about 9.60N Lat) is expected to retreat slightly Southwards in the next 24hrs.

“Winds over 10m and 925hPa (700m) are favourable for Dust-Haze propagations into the Northern parts 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.”

NiMet emphasised the need for public vigilance, stating, “People with Asthma and other respiratory issues should exercise caution due to the suspended dust particles in the atmosphere.”

Furthermore, the agency issued a directive to airline operators, advising, “Get updated weather reports from NiMet for effective planning in your operations, considering the expected adverse weather conditions.”