An Assessment of the Impact of Linesqualls and Thunderstorm Activities over Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria.

Abstract

The impact of extreme weather and climate events are manifested in various ways. In Yola, Adamawa State, the incidence of linesquall and thunderstorm activities were analysed with a view to assessing its socio-economic impact. Meteorological data on linesquall and thunderstorm occurrence, precipitation around associated with the two systems and total precipitation for the period under review were obtained from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency of the Federal Ministry of Transport and Aviation, Yola. Questionnaire were administered to assess the level of awareness and socio-economic impact of the weather variables on the people in the study area. Product moment correlation analysis was used to test the relationship between the two systems and precipitation occurrence in the area. The result obtain shows a positive relationship between the two systems and between the systems and precipitation occurrence. Both were significant at the 99% confidence level. The result further shows that 98% of precipitation occurrence in Yola is associated with linesquall and thunderstorm activities. A greater percentage of the respondents were aware of both weather systems, while estimates of properties lost in damage runs into millions of naira. Discussions and recommendations were made for the study area.