Richard Elesho
After more than three months of scorchy and unfriendly weather, residents of Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, and environs experienced the first rainfall of 2025.
The rain, which gave no signs, started on Thursday at 7:45 pm with thunderstorms and lightning. Even as excited children, some neighbours sang and danced in the downpour until it became too heavy for their jubilation. The rain lasted about an hour.
The rain came as a great relief to people living in the State Capital and its environs because the sun has been intense since early January.
Reacting to the downpour, a cross section of residents had diverse opinions as some expressed joy, while others say it will trigger the heat currently being experienced except it continues.
Pa. Francis, a retiree and farmer, had other concerns. He said that, much as rain is desirable, it may have adverse effects on crops, especially if it is not continuous for some time. He, therefore, prayed that heaven should remain relatively open for better farm yield.
Enthusiastic residents used the opportunity of the first rain to store water for domestic use.
There have been reports of showers of rain in some parts of the state in the last week.