By Dada Ahmed in Lokoja.
The prayer of residents of Lokoja, Kogi State capital, North Central Nigeria, for God to "send down the rain"for them in 2023 and arrest the excruciating heat among other atmospheric challenges was eventually answered on Monday.
Our Correspondent in Lokoja reports that a major rain set in Monday night when water, condensed from vapour in the atmosphere, started falling in thick drops with appreciable volume accompanied with cool atmosphere.
Some residents of Gadumo quarters, who spoke with The Reporters' Correspondents' expressed joy over the cheering development, describing the development as a big sigh for them and their families.
Women and their children were seen fetching the rain water for domestic use.
"We thank God for answering our prayer for rainfall in lokoja.
"At least, if nothing at all, the rain has brought relieve to thousands of residents in Lokoja who are need of drinkable water, just as it has given us a big respite to the terrible heat in Lokoja at this time of the year," Alhaji Mohammed Audu, told our correspondent in a chat.
He, however, advised residents to exercise caution in drinking the water for now, adding that it might contain some elements of particles that could cause health hazards to the public, if consumed directly.
"Water from subsequent rains will be preferable for consumption, because it will be clean,free of particles not friendly with the body.
"Notwithstanding the cautionary measure, we can use the water for washing clothes, cooking and other chores," he further urged.
Audu advised motorists to drive with care in view of the slippery nature of roads as a result of the rain.
Some other residents,who also spoke with our Correspondent said much as they were elated by the heavy downpour,it had also sent fears into their spine, reminding them of the 2022 flood that devasitated Lokoja and other parts of the state and the country at large.
The Reporters reports that Gadumo was one of the settlements affected by flood, October last year.
According to them, their fear had been further strengthened by the warning given by weather agencies in the country of possibility of flood again in 2023 in some states of the federation.
They stressed the need for the state government and the people to do their bid to avert a reoccurrence of such natural disaster in the state.
To others,the heavy rainfall is a wake up call to the farmers to be on their mark and get set for serious agricultural activities, soon, towards boosting food production in the state.
Meanwhile,the rain continued as at the time of this report at about 7.20 a.m.on Monday.
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