Hazy Weather Disrupts Activities in Kano as Residents Seek Shelter Indoors

• A thick harmattan haze in Kano forced many residents indoors, disrupting daily activities and prompting increased use of facemasks
• The cold weather led to a surge in tea sales as residents sought warm beverages to combat the chilly conditions

On Sunday, a thick blanket of harmattan haze covered Kano, significantly impacting daily activities and forcing many residents to stay indoors.

Adamu Salisu, a resident, shared how the harsh weather led him to choose car travel instead of enduring the discomfort of riding a motorcycle to attend a friend’s daughter’s wedding.

Similarly, another resident, Hamza Abdullahi delayed opening his business until midday, citing the dusty and cold conditions.

The weather prompted an uptick in using facemasks, particularly among motorcycle riders navigating the dusty haze. Tasiu Abdullahi, a vendor specializing in facemasks, socks, and men’s innerwear, reported a noticeable surge in sales.

In addition, tea vendors benefited from the temperature drop, witnessing increased patronage as residents sought warm beverages to combat the cold.

Popular tea spots like Duniyar Shayi and Banana Restaurant saw heightened activity, with customers indulging in tea to stay warm.

Dr. Salim Yusuf, a resident doctor in the Department of Community Medicine at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, highlighted the health risks associated with harmattan weather.

He warned that respiratory illnesses, such as asthma and bronchitis, often worsen during this period due to the dusty and cold conditions. Children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable to pneumonia and the common cold, he added.

Dr. Yusuf advised residents to limit outdoor activities, wear protective clothing like jackets and scarves, and stay warm indoors to mitigate health risks.

The adverse weather also affected air travel. An Egyptian aircraft scheduled to land at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport had to be diverted due to poor visibility.

However, an Ethiopian Airlines flight managed to land successfully, as conditions had reportedly improved during its arrival.

As Kano adjusts to the harmattan season, residents take precautions to stay safe and adapt to the challenging weather.