Kano metropolis on Saturday woke up to a thick blanket of dust accompanied by biting cold weather, forcing many residents to remain indoors and disrupting normal economic activities across the city.
Major roads that are usually busy during the early hours of the day appeared unusually quiet, while several markets, shops and business centres opened much later than usual as traders and commuters struggled to cope with the harsh weather condition.
Read Also: EXCLUSIVE: Living Through the Dust: How harmattan shapes life in Kano
A visit by Agro Climate News to parts of the city, including Kurna, Tarauni, Hotoro, Kofar Ruwa and Zoo Road showed reduced vehicular movement and poor visibility caused by dust-laden winds blowing across the metropolis.
Our reporter gathered that the dust and heavy winds sprung to the outskirts of the city area and neighboring states, thereby restricting seamless movement of vehicles along the highway. Many air and road travellers lamented as the weather conditions may affect their scheduled activities.
Many residents, particularly parents and people with underlying health conditions, said they deliberately avoided early morning movement to protect themselves from the cold and dusty atmosphere.
“I kept my children indoors this morning because the weather is too cold and dusty. You can feel it in your chest once you step outside,” said Malam Aisha Abdullahi, a resident of Kurna. “Even going to work early was difficult.”
Asthmatic patients and people with respiratory challenges expressed greater concern, describing the condition as dangerous to their health.
“For people like us living with asthma, this kind of weather is very risky,” said Khadija Yakubu, an asthmatic patient in Hotoro. “Once I inhale too much dust, I start struggling to breathe. I had to stay indoors and use my inhaler.”
Another resident, Abdullahi Sani (Yarmatse), a commercial tricycle operator, noted that the weather affected his livelihood. “Normally by 6 a.m. the road is busy, but today there were few passengers. Many people didn’t come out early because of the cold,” he said.
Health and Environmental Experts Speak
Health experts warn that dusty and cold weather conditions, common during the harmattan season, can trigger asthma attacks, cough, catarrh, chest infections and eye irritation if adequate precautions are not taken.
A public health expert, who spoke to Agro Climate News,Abdulshakur Abdulmumin, advised residents to wear face masks when outdoors, avoid unnecessary exposure to dust, drink plenty of water, and ensure children and the elderly are well protected with warm clothing.
“People with asthma or respiratory illnesses should strictly limit outdoor activities during dusty periods and always keep their medications close,” the expert added.
Agricultural and climate experts also cautioned farmers to protect livestock from extreme cold and dust, noting that such conditions can lead to stress, reduced productivity and increased vulnerability to diseases among animals.
Meteorologists explained that the weather is caused by dry, dusty winds blowing from the Sahara Desert, a seasonal phenomenon that may persist in the coming days.
Residents have therefore been urged to follow weather updates, take health precautions and seek medical attention when experiencing breathing difficulties or other weather-related symptoms.
