Meteo Explains Harmattan Situation

Ghana is not the only country experiencing the current harmattan conditions, the Meteorological Services Agency has explained.



Ayilanio Juati, officer in charge of the Kotoka International Airport office of the agency, said visibility in the entire West African sub-region has suddenly reduced considerably as a result of the intense harmattan.

In an interview, Mr Juati said the intense situation which has reduced visibility levels to 600 metres from the normal level of above 1,000 metres, is likely to last for a considerable period, because of the intense high pressure sitting over the Sahara desert and the northern African regions.

He said the reduced visibility resulting from the intense haze could adversely affect flight operations as some aircraft cannot operate below certain visibility levels as currently being experienced in the sub-region.

On Tuesday, an Emirates flight, EK 787, with 60 passengers bound for Dubai via Abidjan had to return to Accra due to poor visibility at the Abidjan airport.

Mr Juati said the agency is closely monitoring the situation and will keep the airlines and the public updated as and when the need arises.

He cautioned the public, especially parents, not to expose their little children to the weather because of the potential of catching cold during this period.

'It is also important for asthmatic patients to take extremely good care of themselves, since the dust could easily triggr off their conditions', he said.