Following the extreme heat wave with the temperatures up to 42.2c experts have issued warnings about the dangerous effects of the extremely hot weather in the country. HELEN OJI reports.
Agency
Nigeria is currently dealing with an extreme heat wave with temperatures well above 35 degrees Celsiuswhich has been in the grip of an intense heat wave over the past few months, with meteorologist saying there is no relief in sight until the seasonal rains set in next month. The extreme heat has been in place since March, with the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), the heat wave has been affecting most parts of the country, including coastal areas, with temperatures well above 35 degrees Celsius. On Friday, the temperature touched 42.2C in Minna, 120km northwest of Abuja. Meanwhile, Kano, 345km north of the capital, has notched up highs in excess of 40C every day since the beginning of April. As people struggle to cope, authorities have been issuing warnings about the dangers brought on by the excessive temperatures.
Expert advise
According to environmental expert, Olwafemi Akinbode, climate change has become a public health risk.”When you have heat waves, the body is dehydrated, the young, the elderly people that live sedated lives and these are the kind of people that have immediate health reactions to the heat wave,” Akinbode said the severe heat wave is expected to continue until May when the seasonal rains are expected to spread north across the country. Environmental experts have called on authorities to make long-term plans to slow down the effects of climate change by reducing carbon emission and impose bans on tree-cutting.
Expert says that normal temperature for the human body is 36 and 37 degrees Celsius,when it goes above this it becomes uncomfortable.
Extreme weather
“However, the heat in Nigeria from the atmosphere has clocked and surpassed the normal temperature, creating record breaking degrees living Nigerians in serious discomfort, reasons remain doubtful in the minds of ordinary Nigerians. Places like Sokoto recorded 44 degrees Celsius and Yola is very hot compared to past years, which is very hot. It is real unusual and so many people belief that it could be link to climate change,” he stressed.
Mr, Chidi Oji who is a resident in Abuja said climate is definitely changing, the way it is manifesting is extreme weather conditions. For Nigeria, we are having this very hot weather this time and because of the emission of green house gases, they intend to trap the heat from going to the atmosphere because of the trap a lot of the heat is retained down here on earth that is why we are having a lot of heat in Nigeria.
The Director-General of Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Prof, Sani Abubakar Mashi said, “ the heat we are having on the earth surface is not directly from the sun because the heat from sun is not actually heat from the earth surface, what happens is that when the heat comes to the earth surface, part of it is absorbed and part of it is send to the atmosphere, it is known as long way radiation and when is coming it is known as short way radiation. When it is going back to the atmosphere, this heat is traped in the atmosphere and it is the amount of heat that affect the heat earth surface. So the heat we are experiences is not from the sun but from the atmosphere.
“we have heard about climate change and scientists, expert has said that due to the emission from vehicles and industries. It is problem from the climate change, our prediction has shown that highest temperature are expected from the extremely North of the country and within the North East of the country we have temperatures of 42c and 43c, from the first quarter and second quarter the highest temperature to be recorded in the country is 43c and in the month of March we recorded 43c,” he explained.
Urgent action to combat climate change
Mashi noted that Abuja is hotter than Jos, 2019 has been hot and the heat this time is hot. Last year is not has hot like this year. It might get worse next year, if the factor that are causing the heat wave are not changing. The residents have fashion ways of managing the heat. When you consider the electricity of the country you wonder and there is know constant light in the country because if there is light you will not fill the heat so much. Whenever there is heat wave you cannot sleep well and you have to take enough water into the body system.
He stated that the issue of climate change is real and should not be taken likely. One of the sustainable development goals (SDG13) is to take urgent action to combat climate change and it impact and remind us of the impending danger that will befall the earth and generation. If we do not take the action to reduce the effect of climate change. The first 2 decade, Nigerians have seen that the climate of the country has been disrupted and we have notices changes in the climate system of the country, which are quiet different from the country and we observe the climate year in and year out.
Policies and programmes
The Nigerian government has been coming up with policies and programmes that are aim at modifying our human activities that are largely responsible for this disruption of the climate of the country. Also the programmes and policies of the government is to address this problems.
Experts also encouraged drinking a lot of water to avoid dehydration and heat stroke, bathing regularly, eating water-rich fruits, wearing protective hats and light, breathable clothing. The severe heat wave is expected to continue until May when the seasonal rains start.
“The weather condition is extremely hot in the country and it has gotten to the stage where it is unbearable, apart from the fact that we are adapting to the weather and during this period it has been hot compared to other years in Abuja. Because of the changes we are experiences in the climate change the amount of change we experience is not like before. The Heat is so hot that people are complaining,” Mashi said.
