Gmet Explains Dry And Dusty Weather, Issues Precautions

The Ghana Meteorological Agency (Gmet) has attributed the dry and dusty weather experienced across the country to high-pressure systems around the northern regions of Africa.

In a weather advisory, the Agency said, this was observed on Monday, February 13, 2023, and projected to stir up dust over the dust source region.

“Consequently, on Wednesday, February 15, 2023, meteorological satellites detected dust lifted around Chad, Sudan, and Niger. This dust was transported into the country by strong winds at lower levels of the atmosphere.”

This, Gmet said, was the cause of the dry, hazy and dusty weather in the country and may persist during this week.

“This has resulted in dryness and decreased visibility, which may take some time to clear completely. Relative humidity, over the period, has ranged between 15% and 50% with visibility range of 200 meters to 5,000 meters.”

This has also caused pollutant levels in the country to rise above normal, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said.

In a press statement, the EPA said “pollutant levels (PM2.5) in the country exceed the national limit and the World Health Organisation (WHO) interim target 3 values of 35 and 25ptg/m3” and added that this is a natural phenomenon during the dry season.

“These conditions are expected to persist at varying intensities over the next few days. However, it is expected that there will be a relaxation in the intensity during the week and consequently”, Gmet noted.

As a precaution, the Gmet said, residents must keep hydrated, follow fire safety precautions, over foods/water to prevent dust from settling on them, wash fruits thoroughly before taking them and people allergic to dust are to wear nose masks to reduce the effect on them.

Meanwhile, the EPA has cautioned the public to reduce outdoor activities and use pollution masks (nose masks, goggles for eye protection) or air purifiers if available.

Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini