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>From: "Ossia, Felix" <[log in to unmask]>
>To: <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Surviving the harmattan Date: Fri, 14 Jan 2005 10:55:51 -0600
>
>Surviving the harmattan
>IN the past fortnight or so, a massive fluff of dust settled on the
>country's skyline, causing a drastic change in weather, heralding intense
>harmattan, with its peculiar characteristics and impact. Commercial
>activities at the nation's airports virtually came to a halt. Maiduguri and
>other northern cities are recording very poor visibility, forcing motorists
>to put on headlamps at day-time to avoid accidents.
>A wide range of small-scale business activities has also been affected.
>Outdoor workers are hardest-hit. Harmattan weather makes people lethargic,
>especially in the early morning hours. At night, doors and windows are
>closed. People go to bed under layers of blankets. The chill, coupled with
>longer nights experienced during this period, make people sleep more and
>wake up late. Early morning commuters are battling to adjust to the sudden
>change in weather. Workers are arriving late to their offices.
>The onset of harmattan has also been accompanied by a number of health
>conditions. Children and even adults are down with cough and catarrh due to
>inhalation of dust. Asthmatic patients suffer more and visit hospitals
>frequently. Petroleum jelly and menthol based ointments are in high demand
>as persons have to worry about cracked lips and dry skin. Nursing mothers
>are also having to pay more attention to their babies. As the cold causes
>sweat to cease, body odour and heat rashes disappear. Minor injuries tend
>to dry up. Mosquitoes disappear. A thin film of dust settles on furniture,
>cars, and on every surface. Thus, Nigerians have been finding the
>harmattan, rather challenging.
>Harmattan is an air mass that originates from the Sahara desert due to
>shift in the atmospheric high pressure belt. Occurring annually, it
>coincides with temperate winter, in December and January. The air mass,
>traditionally, called the North-East trade wind, affects the entire West
>African sub-region, and dissipates into the Atlantic Ocean. The main
>physical characteristics include chilly condition, poor visibility, low
>temperatures, diffused radiation and low relative humidity.
>Harmattan's impact on social and economic life is exacerbated by the
>physical characteristics of the air mass. The severity of the weather
>during this period, could be attributed to other global extraneous factors
>like climate change or shift in ozone layer, induced by the effect of
>indiscriminate human activities on the fragile ecosystem.
>However, harmattan is not all about hardships. Agricultural activities
>flourish during harmattan. Fruit trees like mangoes, pears, guava, among
>others, blossom with flowers, which in turn result in abundant fruit
>harvest. Farmers prepare their land for cultivation during this period.
>But what is important, is that caution must be exercised during harmattan,
>as it is associated with some dangers. Fire outbreak is rampant.
>Consequently, families need to be cautious while farmers and hunters
>setting bushes on fire should be careful to avoid wild fires which damage
>the ecosystem. In Western countries, weather forecasts are given regularly
>and the public is advised appropriately.
>But sadly, this has not been the case in Nigeria, resulting in much
>widespread confusion during harmattan. It is disturbing, for example, that
>at least two ghastly accidents on the roads have been attributed to poor
>visibility at this period. Early forecast of the weather is critical to
>preparation and survival. It is unfortunate that every year, changes in the
>weather occur, without any preparation on the part of the people.
>The Nigerian Meteorological Service (NMS), should live up to its
>responsibilities in this regard. The present level of forecasting is
>definitely unsatisfactory. The only way to safeguard life and property
>against any natural disaster is through early warning. Without early
>warning, the people are at risk. The Meteorological Department,
>universities, and airports, where changes in physical phenomena are
>monitored should be fully equipped with modern facilities to perform their
>duties effectively. The right calibre of manpower should be employed to man
>the facilities for the benefit of the nation. The media also has a role to
>play in providing useful information about changes in the weather.
>Guardian Newspapers Limited
>
>

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