NEMA Warns Against Effects Of Harmattan

The South-West Zonal Coordinator of the National Emergency management Agency (MEMA), Mr. Iyiola Akande, on Wednesday cautioned Nigerians against harsh weather condition, as well as fire outbreak during the current harmattan.

Akande gave the warning in a statement signed by the Information Officer of NEMA, Ibrahim Farinloye, and made available to newsmen in Lagos.

According to him, the caution becomes necessary in view of the effects of extreme weather which brought excessive rainfall and flooding last year. Akande said that there was urgent need to prepare against risks associated with early dry season relating to the on-set of harmattan.

“NEMA is appealing that all disaster management and municipal authorities should enlighten the public on avoidable fire incidents during the period. “All community leaders should also be involved in educating Nigerians, particularly those living in peculiar environments such as those dwelling in thatched houses, especially in rural areas. “We need to be cautious about the use of firewood or other smoldering objects and heating materials and where such could not be avoided, the fire should be put off immediately after use,’’ he said.

He said that it was also dangerous in harmattan to warm rooms with burning charcoals in the night.

Akande also warned that exposure of children, the aged and other vulnerable people to the weather might cause pneumonia, asthmatic and sickle cell anemia attacks. “At times, efforts to warm room may lead to fire outbreak. Therefore, Nigerians should be reminded of the possible effects of such activities,’’ he said.

He pointed out that the weather has health implications like cold and catarrh and advised that people should wear warm clothing to minimise the likelihood of contracting these diseases. The coordinator also noted that the seasonal wind was dusty and hash, and urged people to wear sun glasses to protect their eyes.

“The State Ministries of Health and Environment should create units to enlighten people about how to cope with the dry season.

“During harmattan, the eyes are directly exposed to harsh weather, especially dust particles carried by the wind. “This can lead to itching and redness of the eyes, especially in individuals with allergic eye disease,’’ he said.

Akande also advised people to take a lot of fluid to compensate for loss of water from the body into the atmosphere through respiration. He reminded pilots to note that visibility had been reduced due to high concentration of dust particles in the air. The coordinator also warned that children and adults, who indulge in bush burning, in the name of hunting wildlife, should desist from such acts.