Barely a couple of weeks ago, Nigerians had joined the rest of the world in sharing their condolences with Australia after wildfires ravaged the region and took hundreds of lives.
As the havoc of climate change becomes more pressing, Nigeria is also starting to feel the sting with the Federal Capital Territory Abuja and other parts of the country currently experiencing one of most intense heatwaves in recent history.
Last month, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NIMET had showed temperature forecasts readings as high as 42°C when the recorded average between 2005 and 2015 was 29°C.
Walking through the dry forest in which most trees have lost their leaves in the dry season was quite scary while searching for a makeshift house in Asokoro District of Abuja. Finally, we arrived at an impromptu house built with zinc sheets.
Maimuna Musa, a mother of five lives in the temporary house with her husband and other two family members. We wonder how they are coping with the little space and the zinc sheet covered apartment under the 43 degree Celsius temperature.
For Maimuna and her children, it has been a tough way of living since the onset of the heatwave climate change. From the makeshift family to the market, traders also groan under the harsh weather condition as some preferred the unfriendly climate change to the worsening economic situation.
At the mechanic workshops, the heatwave and the ongoing Ramadan period appear to be slowing down work activities during working hours.
Last month, NiMET from its 2024 prediction had warned against the heatwave weather which will pulse rain system for five months and may come unexpected in small or large bursts. To survive the weather condition, the agency also gave an advisory of continuous rehydration.
Health experts also warn against the heakth hazards of being exposed to high temperature particularly displacement of blood to the surface of the body that may lead to circulatory collapse.
NiMET study has it that the highest temperatures are usually seen between February and April during the dry season and it falls between February and March ranging from 39.5 to 39.9 °C in the south, and March to May ranging from 42.9 °C to 44.5 °C in the north.
The research also revealed that Nigeria had witnessed the hottest temperature measured from 1952 to May 2023 and was reported by the Yola weather station while In April 2010, the record temperature of 46.4 °C was reported.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
