The Director-General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Mansur Matazu, has asked Nigerians to be patient with airline operators especially when there are flight delays due to bad weather.

He said this while speaking to newsmen on Friday in Abuja.

Mr Matazu cautioned that thunderstorms, wind shear, squall lines, microburst and flash floods could flood runways and disrupt landing and take-off, adding that such activities could cause a delay in flights and affect the sensors along the runways.

The DG advised pilots to be very cautious and adhere to NiMet’s precautionary measures during the onset of rainfall for smooth and safe operations, particularly in the North.

“We want the pilots, especially, to be very cautious and adhere to our precautionary measures. They are there as the standard of operations and precautions. Aviation is all about safety.

“We use the pilot platform to get feedback and get to know what they experienced at certain levels of the atmosphere. Airline operators should take this precaution very serious as well.

“Last but not the least, the passengers should please be patient with airline operators especially when there are flights delays, diversions or cancellations,” he said.

Mr Matazu said the Northern zone was expected to experience onset between May and June, with the Northern fringes around Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Katsina, Jigawa, Yobe and Borno likely to have onset between June 14 and June 29.

According to him, NiMet will monitor the changes in climate and provide the update for weather forecast alert and advance information for plant purposes.

“In extreme weather events, we provide early warning for damages, loss of lives and damage to property.

“The north-central are approaching their onset period and some states in the North will soon start witnessing the onset which is occasionally showers associated with thunderstorms and high-intensity wind,” he said.