Association Explains Early Rainfall Forecast

The Nigerian Metrological Agency (NIMET) has said that the early Seasonal Rainfall Prediction (SRP) for 2013 is aimed at ensuring adequate preparation against hazards associated with climate extremes.

NIMET’s Coordinator in Akwa Ibom, Mr Ime Akpan, said this during a two-day workshop organised by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for media organisations in South-South in Uyo recently.

The Tide reports that the workshop, with the theme “The Role of the Media in Emergency Management” is aimed at educating the journalists on how best to report disaster.

Akpan said that early forecast was necessary in view of the damage caused by the 2012 flooding in many parts of the country.

“It is important to note that NIMET and SRP provides essential weather advisory and early warning to operators in the various rainfall-sensitive socio-economic sectors.

“NIMET presents the SRP early in the year so as to get adequate preparation against risks associated with the weather.

“It is expected that the early presentation will enable decision-makers and operators in the various sectors to use the information in the SRP to optimise productive activities in their respective operations.”

Akpan recalled that NIMET also predicted that the length of the rainy season would be normal in most parts of the north and south.

“There will be longer than normal length of the season in most parts of the central part of the country and over parts of Yobe, northern Cross River and parts of the South West states.’’

He called for the support of journalist to ensure that the people were adequately informed on the rainfall pattern in 2013.

One of the journalists, Mr Denis Nwachukwu, gave the assurance that the media would continue to support any effort to mitigate disaster in the country.

Another journalist, Mrs Iniobong Edet, said that sustainable development of journalists was needed to enable them to discharge their duties effectively.