Some parts of the Federal Capital Territory experienced the first rain in 2024 in the early morning of Thursday.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports the light rain which started half an hour into the new day, about 12.30am., lasted about 25 minutes, stopping at 12.55am.
The unexpected rain which was devoid of lightning, heavy winds and thunderstorms was witnessed at Kubwa, Bwari Area Council, Garki in Abuja Municipal Area Council.
The rain was also witnessed in Dutse, Zuba, Bwari, Gwagwalada and Mararaba.
Residents of the areas expressed mixed feelings over the rain.
Mrs Anna Jonah, a resident of Kubwa said the unexpected rain brought a temporary succour from the heat wave experienced in the past few days.
She, however, expressed worry that because the rain was light, a delay in another rain might intensify the heat.
“Before the rain started, I was lying down on the tiled floor in my room to get some relief from the heat and I had also taken a cold bath twice because of sweats.
“However, after the rain, I moved to the bed with my husband and we had sound sleep, because of the mild coldness that accompanied it
“The concern is that a light rain like this might increase the heat in the coming days, especially as NiMet recently predicted a delay in rain in the North-Central states,” she said.
Lawal Sale, a resident of Garki said the rain was a bit heavy in the area and all the cars parked by occupants of his quarter that had accumulated dust were washed off by the raindrops.
Sale also confirmed relief from the intense heat witnessed in the FCT in the past days.
He, however, said the relief might be shortlived and advised farmers not to rush to planting because the rain might not be consistent.
NAN reports that a resident of Kuje said there was no rain in the area but the weather was cold compared to what they had in previous days.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency had on Tuesday presented the 2024 Seasonal Climate Prediction in Abuja.
According to NiMet, a late cessation was predicted over the southern states of Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Ondo, Ekiti and some parts of Delta, Ogun, Oyo, Kogi, Kwara, FCT, Niger and Kaduna. (NAN)
