Harmattan is a season in the West African sub-region which occurs between the end of November and middle of March every year.
It is characterized by cool dry and dusty wind that blows from the Northeast in the Western Sahara over West Africa into the Gulf of Guinea.
This season has both negative and positive effects on people, environment, agriculture and building formations.
Njideka Okoye samples people’s opinion on the weather and reports that people were of different views on harmattan season. Some said it is the best weather while for some people, it is characterized by sicknesses and discomfort but nevertheless, there is a way out on negative effects of the season.
A medical practitioner in Awka, Dr Clifford Okafor said that harmattan is a yearly occurrence associated with dryness and dust thereby causing cough, cold and catarrh when one is not well covered.
He said the complications may result to pneumonia, especially in children and pregnant women.
Dr Okafor advised people to always cover their bodies especially late in the night and early hours in the morning and also blink their eyes and lick their lips always to avoid dryness.
On agriculture, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs Stephanie Keri-Uzor said it is the best time for planting to have increased yield, especially in vegetables and some other crops, using irrigation and gravitational systems.
Mrs Keri-Uzor noted that planting during harmattan attracts much gain to farmers, advising farmers to use palm leave ash to protect their crops from pests.
For the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Awka Capital Territory Development Authority, ACTDA, Venerable Amaechi Okwuosa, harmattan has adverse effect when poor materials and mixtures are used in building houses such as wood, cement and concrete mixture, advising engineers and contractors to use certified materials and tested mixtures to avoid cracking and building collapse.
Venerable Okwuosa recommended use of four by eight Marin board and conducting of slum and cub tests on woods and mixtures to ensure they will stand the effects of harmattan, as well as engage professionals while building to avoid regret.
In their separate views, a Dry Cleaner, Mr Ikegbunam Onuoha said harmattan is his best weather and does not cover his body for cold as he enjoys it while Mr Franklin Onwuemene said though he covers his body, he enjoys the weather as one of the best season God created as he can sleep with ease.
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