A survey of rainstorms as weather hazards in southern Nigeria

Abstract

This paper examines the role played by winds as a weather hazard in urban centres of southern Nigeria. It is observed that strong winds associated with rainstorms at the beginning of the rainy season are a threat to urban centres as they directly affect buildings and infrastructure. Wind hazards also have indirect social and economic consequences on the communities affected. Much of the damage done to buildings is as a result of inappropriate building designs that have not taken into consideration the wind environment. An inventory of reports of damage caused by winds during the first half of 1995 showed that different towns in eight states were affected. These incidences occurred mainly at the beginning of the rainy season when strong winds are associated with linesqualls. Although wind related hazards have not been adequately acknowledged as an environmental problem that needs to be properly addressed in Nigeria, as in the case of flooding, results have shown that it is a problem that requires government intervention in view of global climate change and consequent extreme weather events. Wind hazard awareness and preparedness as integral aspects of development policy and planning of the environment is therefore needed in West African countries where linesqualls are very significant rain producers.