Are you from any of the sub-saharan west African countries? Or are you visiting any of these countries? Then there is one experience you are bound to have - the harmattan. The harmattan season spans about four months from November through February every year. It is a period when the northeasterly trade wind blows from the sahara desert to the Gulf of Guinea.
The harmattan is characterized by a very strong dry, dusty, and cold wind which is at its peak in the early hours of the day and at midnight. It has severe effects on both human and the environment. The season comes with extreme cold as the temperature could fall as low as 12°C. And due to the dry and dusty nature of the wind asthmatic persons find this season very challenging. Hence, bathing of warm water and adequate covering of the body is advised, whereas bathing or swimming in cold water can cause a chilling or freezing effect on the body down to the spine.
There is so much dehydration this period. And the dehydration can become so severe and result to dry and ashy skin. In extreme cases it may lead to painful tear and injuries on both the lips and heels respectively. However, to check the challenge of dehydration intake of enough liquid is required preferably water. Adequate wetting of lips with lips gloss or petroleum jelly, and the heels with body lotion or cream is also advised.
The harmattan also have a severe effect on the environment. The season comes with dust since it originates from the sahara desert. Everywhere becomes dusty from the bushes, green leaves, rooftops, glass doors, window glasses, to the floors, even the furniture is not spared as they are all coated with brown dust. In fact brown is the color of the harmattan season. And so one must be up and doing in cleaning and dusting the surfaces daily.
In addition one must not wear clothes that are not compatible with the season, like black or white clothes and shoes especially in the hinterlands or rural areas. It is advisable to wear colors or clothes that are compatible with the season and can absorb dust like brown, ash, grey, or orange colored clothes. Also during harmattan season there is little or no visibility because of dusty winds. This might lead to delay departure of flights by Airline operators. And in rare and extreme occasions flights may be canceled.
The harmattan season is also a period with the highest incidence of fire outbreaks. So at the beginning of every harmattan the government through the mass and social media sensitizes the public on the precautionary measures to forestall fire outbreaks. During this period a little careless fire can spread so fast and become a wild fire that destroys lives, properties, forest reserves, wild life and the entire environment. So there is need to save and preserve our environment this season and always.
The harmattan experience has been on even through the Yuletide. And the experience is still on and will be on till sometime in the month of February. If I may ask what is your own experience? What season are you in right now in your country? Is it harmattan, winter, spring, summer, rainy season? How does the season affect people and the environment? Do share your experience with us here, I have shared my harmattan experience.