Scorching Heat: NiMet Issues Warning for Nasarawa, Abuja, Benue, and Other States

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has issued a nationwide warning over soaring temperatures, placing residents in several states, including Nasarawa, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and Benue, on high alert for potential heat stress and related health emergencies.

In an advisory released on Tuesday via its X page, the agency cautioned that vulnerable populations in inland areas across the country face an increased risk as extreme heat conditions persist.

NiMet specifically identified Benue, Nasarawa, the FCT, Kogi, Niger, Kebbi, Cross River, Oyo, and Ogun as high-risk zones. According to the agency, these areas are particularly susceptible to heat stress—a condition where the body fails to cool itself effectively.

The agency attributed the condition to a combination of factors, including high temperatures, humidity, poor ventilation, dehydration, inappropriate clothing, and excessive physical exertion.

NiMet warned that unaddressed heat stress could lead to serious health complications, such as heat exhaustion or potentially fatal heatstroke. Children, the elderly, outdoor workers, and individuals with pre-existing medical conditions are considered most at risk.

In response, the agency has urged citizens to adopt preventive measures, including:

· Staying well-hydrated by drinking sufficient water.

· Remaining in well-ventilated or air-conditioned environments where possible.

· Using hats, sunshades, and sunscreen when outdoors.

· Wearing light, breathable clothing.

The agency also issued a strong caution to parents to ensure infants remain cool and hydrated and to never leave children unattended in parked vehicles. Furthermore, NiMet advised the public to limit strenuous outdoor activities between 12:00 pm and 4:00 pm, when temperatures typically peak.

Heat stress is increasingly recognized as a major environmental and occupational hazard. Citing a 2024 World Health Organisation (WHO) study, NiMet noted that heat stress is the leading cause of weather-related deaths globally. The condition exacerbates existing illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and asthma, and increases the risk of accidents.

The WHO data further highlights the global scale of the issue, estimating approximately 489,000 heat-related deaths occurred annually between 2000 and 2019. The number of people exposed to extreme heat has grown exponentially due to climate change, with heat-related mortality for people over 65 rising by roughly 85 per cent in the last two decades.