By RITA ILIYA

The Nigerian Metrological Agency (NiMet) says Niger will experience intense rainfall from July to September.

The agency says the forecast is according to seasonal climate prediction of NiMet.

Prof. Mansur Matazu, Director General of NiMet, announced this during the Hydro-Electric Power Dam Managers and Stakeholders meeting in Minna on Wednesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting with the theme: “State of Preparedness of the Dam Managers” was organised by National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) with various disaster management stakeholders in attendance.

Matazu, represented by Mr James Adamu, Executive Assistant to the director-general of NiMet, explained that the onset of rainfall in the southern part of the state would start on May 5 while in eastern part would start May 30 and northern part will be from June 6.

He said that the length of planting season would be longer in the southern part of the state lasting for 183 days and in eastern part would last between 154 days and 163 days while the northern part could have less than 140 days.

He added that the predicted rainfall amount in southern part of the state might be above 1,460 milimetres and in the eastern part could be between 1,260 milimetres and 1,360 milimetres while northern part could experience below 110 milimetres.

Matazu called on stakeholders in disaster management to develop a more robust early warning system to mitigate and reduce risks associated with floods in the state.

In her welcome remarks, Hajiya Zainab Sa’idu, Head, NEMA Minna Operations Office, said the meeting was for stakeholders and disaster mangers to brainstorm and come up with ways to prevent and reduce disasters.

“These predictions if not given proper attention will lead to disasters, claim lives and property of people as well as disrupt the functioning of many communities which will by far be more disturbing,” she said.

Sa’idu called on participants to offer their best ideas and advice on the impending threat of flood and ways to prevent or cushion the negative impacts of the phenomenon on the people.

In their separate contributions, the stakeholders called on dam managers to always synergise with stakeholders by updating them on their activities to translate the information to people living at downstream. (NAN)

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