The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has warned pilots and airline operators to strictly adhere to safety guidelines during the imminent dry season and its attendant hazards.

The warning was inspired yesterday by a weather forecast by Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET), which alerted the public on the looming deterioration in visibility as a result of observed dust haze from the Sahel.

According to NiMET, winds over 10m and 925hPha are favourable for dust-haze propagations into the Northern parts of the country. Due to strong winds, the dust in suspension is expected to propagate to some states in the northern part of the country, which will further reduce horizontal visibility, especially over Katsina, Kano, Nguru, Jigawa, Potiskum and Maiduguri in the next 24 hours.

NCAA noted that the information was intended to alert pilots about the nature of weather associated with dry season in Nigeria ranging from light/ moderate to severe dust haze and sometimes early morning fog, which can sometimes reduce the horizontal visibility to below the aerodrome operating minima.

The agency urged members of the public to take necessary precaution during this time in the planning of their trips so as not to encounter unnecessary flight delays. It added that flights are bound to be delayed, diverted, or cancelled where terminal visibility falls below the prescribed aerodrome operating minima.