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24.01.2007 General News

Harmattan To Last Till March

24.01.2007 LISTEN
By Times

This year's severe harmattan is likely to continue until March, a senior meteorologist with the Ghana Meteorological Agency has said.



Amos Narh, Deputy Officer in charge of agency's office at the Kotoka International Airport, said the harmattan this year, in 2002 and 2003 were the worst in the last six years.

Speaking to the Times yesterday, Mr. Narh attributed it to high atmospheric pressure prevalent in North Africa around this time of the year.

This is characterised by strong winds which blow across the sahara desert to low pressure areas around the equator.

He said the winds carry dust particles from the sahara and that accounts for the dry and hazy conditions in the country.

He said cold nights are features of the harmattan and could lead to an upsurge in cold-related diseases and upper respiratory tract infections, such as colds and flus.

He therefore advised the public to take the necessary health precautions.

Touching on road safety, Mr Narh said since visibility was sometimes impaired during the period, motorists should exercise maximum caution and avoid speeding and unnecessary overtaking.

'Motorists driving, especially in the forest areas, should turn on their foglights because they experience poorer visibility', he said.

He also added that the poor visibility arising from the harmattan could also be the cause of delays in flight schedules.

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