HEAT WAVE RAGES
HEAT WAVE RAGES The intensity of the heat wave across the country is having devastating impact on people. Worst hit, according to observations, are pregnant women and children, whose ability to withstand the harsh conditions are low. The current heat wave has exposed children in some parts of the country to heat-related illnesses. In the northern part of the country, the pressure is on pregnant women, who have to grapple with dehydration, intense heat and still air. Worse still is the fact that it is happening during the Ramadan when people are fasting and as such abstain from water for many hours of the day. A pregnant woman in Yola, Adamawa State, Hajiya Hajara Audu, shared a heart-wrenching account of how she lost her one month-old pregnancy due to the extreme heat. “I went to work and felt the heat penetrating deep into my bones. Before I could rush to the hospital, I started bleeding; and that’s how I lost my pregnancy,” she narrated. Our correspondents report that residents across many states of the country are groaning under the scorching heat as a result of change in atmospheric conditions. They lament that it is affecting their health, livelihoods and daily activities. Experts have also warned that the heat stress has health implications, and there is a need for members of the public, including Muslim faithful currently observing their Ramadan fast to adopt measures to stay healthy and hydrated. The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) had in an advisory on Tuesday, March 11, issued an alert on heat stress in the country. The agency said rising temperatures and high humidity levels over the next couple of days may cause thermal discomfort across several regions. It said the most affected areas were Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, Kogi, Nasarawa, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi, Cross River and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Other vulnerable regions are; Taraba, Adamawa, Plateau, Kaduna, Zamfara, and Sokoto states, as well as coastal areas. The agency also warned of potential health risks, fatigue and irritability, reduced focus and lower productivity. NiMET had in an earlier alert on March 4, warned that temperatures were reaching 40°C+ in several locations. It forecasted maximum temperatures of 42°C in Kebbi, Jalingo, Yola; 41°C in Lafia; 40°C in Minna, Makurdi and 36°C–42°C in the North and 34°C–39°C in the South. The organisation added that there would be increased discomfort due to high humidity. Situation across states Findings revealed that residents of the FCT and over 19 states are lamenting the impact of the heat with dire situations in some northern states in the last few days. Adamawa residents grapple with sweltering heat, health implications Adamawa State is experiencing extremely high temperatures, with the mercury soaring to 43°C on Wednesday, March 12 and slightly dipping to 41°C the following day. The scorching heat, exacerbated by hot winds, is making it challenging for residents to move around, especially during the fasting period. According to Demba Kwenke, the Adamawa State Head of Epidemiology, the hot weather has led to a surge in reported cases of heat-related illnesses. “We have over 100 cases of heat-related illnesses reported, mainly from Yola/North, Yola South and other local government areas,” he said. Demba said the state was also witnessing a rise in cases of meningitis, with samples taken for further confirmation. Kano residents devise means of mitigating effects Kano residents braced up for extremely hot weather conditions as the temperature moved above 36°C on Thursday afternoon. Hauwa’u Sani said she was forced to take her rechargeable fan to the office to keep cool as the prevailing temperature is not friendly. “The heat is something else these days, so I take my rechargeable fan to the office where electricity supply is not constant and without which I…
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