Kano experienced a thick haze from harmattan weather on Sunday, prompting many residents to stay inside and disrupting routine activities throughout the city.
Local resident Adamu Salisu noted that he had to buy fuel for his car to attend a friend’s daughter’s wedding, as the hazy conditions rendered motorcycle travel nearly impossible. Another resident, Hamza Abdullahi, postponed the opening of his business until noon due to the dusty atmosphere that dominated the day.
To cope with the poor visibility, many turned to facemasks, particularly those riding motorcycles. Vendor Tasiu Abdullahi reported a noticeable rise in facemask sales, reflecting the increased demand for protective gear.
The chilly weather accompanying the haze also led to a boost in sales for local tea vendors. Popular establishments like Duniyar Shayi and Banana Restaurant experienced a surge in customers. At Banana Restaurant, one patron was seen enjoying tea with his meal, citing the cold weather as a reason to indulge in hot drinks.
Dr. Salim Yusuf, a physician at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, warned about the health risks associated with the harmattan season. He indicated that respiratory conditions like asthma and bronchitis could worsen due to the dusty and cold environment, while pneumonia and the common cold are also more common during this period, especially among children and the elderly. He recommended that residents limit outdoor activities, wear protective clothing such as jackets and scarves, and stay warm indoors.
The adverse weather also affected air travel; an Egyptian aircraft was unable to land at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport and had to be diverted. Fortunately, an Ethiopian Airlines flight was able to land safely as the weather conditions improved during its arrival.
