In the early hours of Thursday, certain parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) experienced their first rainfall of the year. The light rain, which commenced around 12:30 am and lasted for approximately 25 minutes, brought temporary relief to areas such as Kubwa, Bwari Area Council, Garki in Abuja Municipal Area Council, Dutse, Zuba, Bwari, Gwagwalada, and Mararaba. What made this rain particularly noteworthy was its peaceful nature, devoid of lightning, heavy winds, and thunderstorms.
Residents expressed a mix of emotions following the unexpected rainfall. Mrs. Anna Jonah, a Kubwa resident, found respite from the recent heat wave but expressed concerns about the potential intensification of the heat due to the light nature of the rain. She shared her experience of seeking relief from the heat by lying on a cool tiled floor and taking cold baths, only to enjoy a sound sleep after the rain subsided. However, she worried about the possibility of increased heat in the coming days, especially in light of a recent prediction by NiMet indicating delays in rain for North-Central states.
Conversely, Lawal Sale, a Garki resident, noted that the rain was somewhat heavier in his area and washed off the accumulated dust from parked cars, providing a reprieve from the intense heat. Despite this, he cautioned farmers against rushing to plant their crops, as the consistency of the rain was uncertain.
The unexpected nature of this initial rainfall has left residents contemplating the potential implications for the climate in the weeks to come.
