Residents of Makurdi, the capital of Benue State, breathed a sigh of relief on Wednesday as the first rainfall of the year brought much-needed respite from the scorching heat.
Makurdi has been one of the hardest-hit areas by the persistent heatwave, with many residents resorting to sleeping outdoors to escape the extreme temperatures.
The rain, which began around 5:30 a.m., was accompanied by strong winds and lasted for nearly an hour and a half.
Several residents expressed their joy over the cooler weather and hoped for more rainfall in the coming days.
Madam Debby described the rain as a “soothing balm” after enduring days of unbearable heat. “We have been expecting this rain because of the heavy breeze over the past week. The heat has been so intense that we sleep outside until around 4:30 a.m. before heading indoors. To God be the glory for the rain,” she said.
Similarly, Sarah, a resident of Wadata, was grateful for the relief, stating, “With this morning’s rain, we can finally enjoy some respite before the heat returns.”
