The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), has told Nigerians to clear drains because of imminent heavy rainstorms that may lead to serious flooding between August and October.

NIMET gave the advice in a statement last Saturday in Abuja, signed by Mr Eleazar Obende of the agency’s Public Relations Unit.

“In keeping with the mandate to monitor the 2012 Seasonal Rainfall Prediction (SRP) and give updates as and when necessary, NIMET has observed wetter-than-normal soil surface moisture and groundwater conditions in some parts of the country over the past 12 months.

“The northern sector of the country will experience peak rainfall during August to October season, the effect of the wetter-than-normal conditions observed is the prospects of the occurrence of above-normal rainfall, which may lead to surface run-off.

“The flooding incidents that may accompany further one-day high rainfall events in and around Lagos, Ogun, Delta, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Gombe, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states may leave in its trail devastation and destruction.”

The agency noted that similar incidents were recorded in some parts of the country some months ago.

It would be recalled that NIMET in its SRP, released in February, informed Nigerians that there would be normal rainfall season across the country.

The SRP, however, noted that “although there will be normal rainfall season in many parts of the country for 2012, that normal rainfall trend in any area can cause flooding and associated consequences.

“Such consequences are mainly because of the people’s attitude of dumping refuse in water channels and the drains.”

It, however, advised government and people in the states to endeavour to clear drains as there was high prospect of high intensity or long-lasting rains occurring during August to October, 2012 as predicted.