Rainy season in Nigeria is a blessing and curse. This is because like other works of nature, there are many advantages and disadvantages of rain. On one hand, the people get a break from the scorching sun, temperatures drop, and the crops get enough water. Then, on the other hand, plans get ruined, traffic intensifies, and you get wet and a cold. The weather in Nigeria is very easy to understand. Just like everyone learned in elementary school, Nigeria, like the rest of West Africa and other tropical lands, has only two seasons, the dry and rainy season also called the wet season. Rainy season in Nigeria is experienced in two different ways. In Southern Nigeria, the rainy season features heavy and abundant rain. The annual rainfall received in this region of the world is usually high. The rainy season in Nigeria differs by region. Rainy season is different in northern and southern Nigeria. In southern Nigeria, light rainfall begins in March with the peak of the rainy season being June and July. In June and July, it rains cats and dogs. A brief break is experienced in August to begin again in September and the season doesn’t end until late October. In northing Nigeria, rainy season doesn’t come until June. Rainy season in Nigeria is planting season and with the dry season comes the harvest. After the rainy season comes the dry season which is accompanied by a dust-laden airmass from the Sahara Desert, locally known as Harmattan season in Nigeria. Residents of the country would describe the weather conditions in Nigeria as violent and apologetic. This is because the weather is never on your side. As the children sing ‘rain rain go away’, it is important that you are always ready for the season.
Here are 8 ways to get ready for the rainy season in Nigeria.
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Get an umbrella or raincoat
An umbrella and raincoat are the oldest protections from rain making them a constant in rainy seasons. They have been in use for nearly two centuries and have only evolved over time. To survive the rainy season in Nigeria, you will need an umbrella or raincoat. Umbrellas are available in almost every market and supermarket. They also come in different styles, designs, and sizes. For mobility, purchase a small foldable umbrella as it can fit into a bag easily. Good raincoats, on the other hand, aren’t the easiest to find in Nigeria, because most people do not use raincoats in Nigeria, except traffic wardens, security men and the likes of citizens who work outside. However, raincoats still save the day as they are ideal for young school students, especially children, they are fun, easy to wear and difficult to misplace.
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Rubber shoes save soles
The rain destroyed your favourite pair of shoes, cry no more because rubber shoes save soles during the rainy season in Nigeria. Not all shoes can withstand water because most shoes worn in Nigeria are not waterproof. Shoes are made to protect your feet in style, however,r it doesn’t include withstanding constant wetness. The rainy season weakens the soles of shoes or rather, the glue used in putting the sole together, causing your shoes of open at the toe. Fixing the shoe never lasts either. If its not the sole, the material used to make the shoe probably does not go with water, hence, rubber is your friend. Rubber shoes fill Nigerian markets in different styles and colours. Investing in a pair of rubber shoes is a great idea because they are waterproof, easy to clean and won’t spoil.
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Clear the gutters
As it rains heavily, the rain needs to flow through a proper drainage system to avoid flooding. This cannot happen if the gutters are blocked. It is key to clear and clean the gutters before the raining season comes, this will save your properties from damage and the roads too. Floods have caused major damages in recent times in Nigeria. Floods can also lead to the loss of lives; therefore, it is important to prevent floods. Apart from the direct rainfall on land, rainfall causes a rise in sea levels which can also cause a flood.
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Get your vitamin C and D ready
With rainy season in Nigeria comes the common cold. The cold weather is sure to give numerous people a cold and these people will spread it to other people, therefore make sure you have your vitamin c ready to fight it. Considering the fact that not everyone has access to vitamin C tablets, vitamin C can be obtained from other sources like citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruit, tangerine, lemon etc. Ginger is also a great remedy for colds however, it is not sweet, drinking the zobo drink with added ginger will also do the trick. Vitamin D is also essential to human health. The sun is the best source of this vitamin. During the rainy season in Nigeria, the sun is barely out in the mornings, depriving the people of their daily dose of vitamin D. This source will have to be substituted with oral sources.
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Bring out the sweaters and blankets
When the atmospheric temperatures drop, and the weather becomes cooler, you will need to keep warm. For the workforce with air conditioners in the office, keep in mind that the air conditioners will not be turned off for you. Keeping warm will not only help you stay comfortable it will keep you safe from harm the cold weather can do to your body. Sweaters and blankets are a good investment during the rainy season in Nigeria.
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Seal cracks and leakages
Buildings, cars and other forms of shelters ten to have leakages and cracks as the years go by. Most times they are overlooked because no real damage has been caused. Ahead of the rainy season, it is important to fix those leakages and cracks because the rain will only make it worse and destroy property beneath the leakage. Sometimes, leakages appear in windows, anything near the window will be wet, which will lead to more discomfort and problems.
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Get a heater, kettle or boiling ring
During the rainy season, the change in weather temperature greatly affects water temperatures. The water becomes much colder especially in the mornings after rainfall. The water can also be unbearable. Knowing full well that Nigeria has a mix of people. Things like water heating is a necessity to some people and a luxury to others. However, one way or another you must keep your water warm. You can get warmer water from a water heater, kettle, or boiling ring. They all work similarly and produce the same result. Also, these three items work with electricity, however, electricity is not a constant in Nigeria. The good old boiling water on the stove technic will work just fine, only that a takes a longer.
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Buy fuel/diesel
For some reason in Nigeria, when rain falls the power goes out. Nobody seems to understand why. If it rains all night, the power could be out all night, and if the electricity company in your neighbourhood feels like playing games, they can keep the power off all week, therefore, your generator becomes your best friend. For those who can afford generators, it is important to always have fuel or diesel available because never expect power always.
