Heavy Rainfall in Southern Nigeria, Early, in 2013

Lagos and Ogun States, had their first rainfall this year, on Sunday, January 20, and afterwards. Then Calabar and several other cities in Southern Nigeria, experienced heavy rainfall too, introducing the year, with surprise of changing climate, after a precarious 2012 for environmental issues in Nigeria. The rain poured heavily, shoving pedestrians into shelters and open air activities to a halt.  The rainfall comes as harmattan winds down, and the wet season, going to set-in, in a few weeks. The change in the normal rainfall ‘schedule’ this year, evokes the global warming argument, and how it will be necessary to work on adaptation procedures for issues on floods, erosion, faster restoration of power after storms knock grids out, and road traffic. The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) forecasts rainfall every year, providing updates on the magnitude of recent rainfall and how to stay safe during the period. The early rainfall and magnitude, into 2013, comes as a surprise, but prepares our minds for what is likely — ahead.