What is weather?
The state of the atmosphere at a particular place and time as regards heat, cloudiness, dryness, sunshine, wind, rain, etc.

As we all know that we are in a season of rainfalls in Nigeria, in the light of this, I would like to share some tips about weather and some dos and don’ts during the rainy season.

In Nigeria, the rainy season typically varies by region, but it generally occurs from April to October:
Southern Nigeria: The rainy season usually starts in April and ends around October, with peak rainfall often occurring between June and September.
Central Nigeria: The rainy season generally runs from May to September.
Northern Nigeria: The rainy season is shorter, typically from June to September.
The timing and intensity of the rainy season can vary based on local climate conditions.

Don’ts Tips for Rainy Season

1.Stay Warm
You must protect yourself by dressing warmly. Bring out the sweaters and turtlenecks. The drop in temperature can affect your body’s ability to fight off infections, making you more prone to diseases. Because their immune system is still developing, children are more vulnerable in this season as well.  So, stay warm!

2.Keep Water Moving
With the rains comes floods and new bodies of water. Lakes can be nice but not the kind created right now. Stagnant pools of water serve as a breeding ground for mosquitoes so ensure that water keeps moving. This is the time to clear those drainages and avoid dumping refuse indiscriminately.

3.Stay Clean & Dry
You must maintain a high level of hygiene at all times. Rainwater is not clean so ensure that you have a bath if you get caught in the rain. Invest in a good umbrella, remove wet clothes as soon as possible, and avoid wearing damp footwear. Fungal infections tend to thrive in damp settings so dry off vigorously. Prevent your children from playing in the rain or with rainwater. If they do escape your surveillance somehow, ensure that you give them a good bath.

4.Watch What You Eat
Cases of cholera, typhoid, and other food/water-borne diseases tend to surge during this period. Avoid buying street food or food from vendors whose hygiene levels cannot be ascertained. The same goes for drinking water as well. If you drink water from a well, make sure you boil the water properly before drinking.

5.No handkerchiefs allowed
During the rainy season, allergies tend to act up and the common cold is more common. Avoid carrying a handkerchief if you have a runny nose because a hanky is perfect for spreading disease. When you blow your nose and stuff the hanky back into your pocket, you create an incubator for germs. It is better to blow your nose into a piece of tissue paper so you can throw it away. Always wash your hands afterward and cover your mouth and nose with the crook of your elbow if you have to sneeze.

6.Long raincoat/umbrella
Don’t forget to pack a compact umbrella before stepping out. It’s your first line of defense when it starts to rain. For outdoor activities, raincoats are just perfect. They are quite helpful in staying dry on heavy rain and heavy drizzle days; they are also your best protection from splashed water.

7.Waterproof bag
Definitely, you don’t want to get your phone and other valuable items ruined, so it is quite essential to protect your belongings from water damage. They come in handy when it doesn’t really rain too;

Don’ts Tips for Rainy Season

Visit only familiar places
In the course of the rainy season, it is not advisable to go to an environment where you don’t really know, especially when you are driving. We have a lot of bad roads, port holes etc and might get dangerous when being flooded with rain. A lot of people have become victims who died while driving into floods without knowing how deep it was.

Likewise, avoid playing or swimming in flooded rivers, lakes, or ponds, as there can be hidden dangers beneath the surface, and the water might be contaminated.

Don’t touch electrical appliances with wet hands: Be cautious when dealing with electrical appliances during the rainy season.

Exciting Things To Do During Rainy Season

Listening to the sound of the rain falls
Creating a special moment and enjoy the season with your loved ones.
Reading or watching an interesting movie will also do
Create a creative atmosphere for yourself by writing, drawing etc.

Olubukola Olabiyi is a teacher, social media content creator, life coach, Gospel artist, and writer with focus on religion, morals, education, and motivational themes.