With memories of last year’s flooding still fresh, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) has predicted heavy rainfall for year 2013.

The agency’s Director General, Dr. Anthony Anuforom, Saturday, in Abuja, said this year’s rainfall pattern would not be different from what the country witnessed last year.

He noted that the annual rainfall amount is expected to be above normal in comparison to 2012 in the northwest areas of Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Zamfara States and environs, while the rainfall amount will be below normal in Ogun, Oyo and Kebbi States.

He further disclosed that catchment areas of River Niger and parts of the Niger Delta have higher chances of having more rains in 2013 than in previous years.

He, therefore, advised people in such areas with high risks of flooding to ensure early planning.

While predicting the rainfall amount to be normal in most parts of the country, he disclosed that in the extreme north, rainfall is expected to range from 400 to 1000mm, while in the south, it is expected to be between 1500 and 3000mm.

Anuforom further disclosed that rainfall onset dates will vary between first week of March in the southernmost part of the country, and in late June in the far northern parts, noting that their would be early onset in Niger, Cross River, Anambra, Delta, Ogun and Ondo States by one week.

Explaining further, he mentioned that the rainy season is predicted to end between mid October in the North and mid-December in the South. He added that Ondo, Delta, and Cross River States should expect early cessation of rainfall, while the southwest should expect late cessation.

A Director in NIMET, Dr. Ifeanyi Nwodu, further explained that onset of rainfall is expected between late February in the southernmost parts of the country, third week of April in the central parts and first week of June in the extreme north.

He said for the month of January most places are expected to remain in normal harmattan condition, while some parts of Ogun State are predicted to be slightly warmer during the night. In February, Nigerians should expect normal harmattan conditions at nigh and hot days in windy, hazy and hot weather during the day.

In the month of March, some parts of Borno State and environs are expected to be warmer, but colder during the day, while in April, daytime temperatures are expected to continue to increase in the north, with associated heat and discomfort, while in the south, the effect of the onset of rains will reduce the temperatures.

Speaking on the socioeconomic implications for the aviation sector, Nwodu mentioned that their may be minor delays in flights due to reduced horizontal visibility in dust haze in January and February in some airports, adding that similarly, during the onset and cessation periods of the rainy season when thunderstorms are prevalent and severe with associated turbulence, pilots are advised to exercise greater caution and heed the weather advisories provided by the agency.

For the agricultural sector, he said with the normal growing season predicted for 2013, farmers are advised to commence field establishment of their crops within the period when the rains have fully set, except for tuber and root crops.

He said dry spells are likely to occur to occur in Kastina, Sokoto, Zamfara, Yobe, and Borno States particularly in the month of June 2013.

He further advised that farmers in the southern and central parts of the country should plant tuber crops before the full establishment of rains, adding that those in Kebbi, Taraba, Niger and Anambra axis should also endeavour to plant early maturing crops.

The Director further said that the is possibility of rainstorms and gustiness at the onset of the season, which may disrupt activities of the fishing community, as well as those of the oil and gas industry, which may also increase the prospect of flooding and erosion particularly around the coastal areas and may result in loss of life and property.

He advised the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other related organisations to ensure adequate preparedness for possible occurrence of emergencies.