2019’ll be hottest year in Nigeria – NIMET

From the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) came a grim picture of hot temperature across the country, with weather experts saying that 2019 would go down as the hottest year in Nigeria so far.

Technical Assistant to Director-General of Ni- MET, Dr. Mansur Matazu,told New Telegraph that the blistering heat would lead to more deadly diseases like Meningitis and measles that are prevalent in most parts of Northern Nigeria and the South of the country.

His words: “From records, the last four years proved to be the hottest on record. Year 2018 was hottest. We are not yet through with 2019.

The trend is showing that 2019 will be hotter than 2018. The whole thing started from 2016. From record, we have been experiencing high temperature across the globe.

“If you remember, sometime in February, the temperature reached 58 degrees Celsius. We are experiencing the phenomenon of El Nino here. In addition to that, the world is experiencing global warming due to climate change and we are having high temperature; so we are receiving our share of it.”

Public and private hospitals have been witnessing increased admissions of patients complaining of heatrelated health problems, including heat stroke and fainting spells. A medical doctor, who pleaded anonymity, told our correspondent that this period of heightened temperature with adverse bodily effects is what is referred to as heat wave.

He said with increase in the body temperature, central nervous and circulatory systems are impacted, adding that the most vulnerable to heat waves are children, the elderly, sedentary urban dwellers who do not have access to air conditioners and those whose apartments do not have windows that allow for ventilation.

Others are obese and people with certain medical conditions, even diuretic drugs for treatment of high blood pressure and medications for mental health conditions have been found to be susceptible to heat and can worsen the condition of the patients. According to Matazu, the country is undergoing what he described as “transition,” which is movement from dry season to raining, which, he said, commences in May and one that could bring reprieve.

The weather expert attributed the persistent heat waves across major parts of the country to the movement of wind from the South to the North, which, to him, generates so much humidity and heat, especially in the coastal areas across Nigeria. Another reason for the discomfort, he said, is that during this transition period, there is a reverse in the direction of the wind.

“Instead of the wind blowing in the dry season from North, the wind now blows from the South-West of Nigeria. The South-West of Nigeria is from the side of the Atlantic Ocean.

The wind coming from above the ocean carries the characteristics of the ocean or the attributes of the ocean. “Generally speaking, air carries water moisture or gas. It combines with high intensity solar radiation and combines with influx of moisture reverses change of wind direction. The water vapour is a good conductor for heat. The heat creates human discomfort.”

He further disclosed that places around Maiduguri are experiencing between 41 and 42 degrees CelsiusYola is experiencing 41 degrees Celsius while other places are experiencing 42 degrees Celsius. Minna, he said, is about 40 degrees Celsius, Abuja between 37 and 38 degrees Celsius.

“The reason why the discomfort is around the coastal area like Lagos and Port Harcourt is because the areas are close to the ocean. The air that comes from the ocean carries water moisture and this water vapour comes in form of gas, so, it will change the atmosphere in the area. That is why there is high temperature and discomfort.

“The Northern area of the country is experiencing reported cases of Meningitis and measles due to high temperature. In most parts of the country, we are experiencing reported cases of measles. Remember we issued out weather situation in January that most parts of the country will experience above normal temperature and that is what we are having now. By the time the rains come in May, the temperature will go down and reduce general radiation,” he added.