The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET), on Wednesday, issued a weather advisory in the face of high temperatures being witnessed across the country.
Air temperatures are set to hit 41°C in the North and 39°C in the South of Nigeria, and projections indicate that temperatures will remain high in the coming days.
According to NiMET, the hot weather could lead to dehydration which in turn could also cause fainting; chicken Pox disease, Measles, Heat Rash, weakness of the body, slight fever, and dry lips; Heat-Related Illnesses; Respiratory Issues; and Increased Vulnerability to chronic conditions.
NiMET has therefore advised that individuals should ensure that they have adequate fluid intake.
Individuals are also advised to seek shade, use fans, and wear light, breathable clothing to reduce exposure to high temperatures.
Persons are also to avoid strenuous physical activity during peak heat hours and should stay indoors as much as possible between 12:00 noon and 4:00 pm.
Meanwhile, NiMET is set to release its seasonal climate prediction (SCP) for 2024.
A seasonal climate prediction is a probabilistic forecast that provides a range of possible climate changes in the upcoming season.
Seasonal climate predictions can help with decision-making in many areas of society, including agriculture, water management, and weather risks.
According to the agency, “To break the vicious cycle of ‘Disaster, respond, recover, repeat,’ we need a better understanding of disaster risk, in all its dimensions.
“We leverage on past data records to project the future through actionable science-based prediction.
“Climate Change can increase disaster risk in a variety of ways – by altering the frequency and intensity of hazard events, affecting vulnerability and changing exposure patterns.
“Therefore, the SCP can strengthen organisational and communal capacity in the face of challenging weather and climate conditions.”
The SCP release is scheduled for Tuesday, February 20.