The sky is red, the atmosphere stifling. Cars have been covered in Sahara dust. Visibility in Attica is limited.
There is already an increase in the number of patients with respiratory problems in hospitals, while pulmonologists recommend caution and limit movement for vulnerable groups.
The eerie scene is also reflected in a post by the meteorologist, Kostas Lagouvardou, on Facebook. Uploading a photo from the Observatory in Penteli, he writes in his post: “Our colony on Mars”.
As can be seen in photos and videos from Attica, an orange veil has covered the basin, creating an eerie scene.
Among other things, the area around the Parliament and the Acropolis have been covered by dust.
LIVE the transport of dust
The umbrellas are out in Thessaloniki. Since dawn, the mud rain has made its appearance. The rain that started early in the morning in Thessaloniki combined with the cloud of African dust brought back a foggy landscape to the city.
African dust has covered most of the country. The cocktail of dust and mud rain looks set to continue for two more 24 hours.
While the atmosphere is suffocating, doctors draw attention to people with already burdened histories.
“Clearly, the presence of increased dust particles causes various problems both in the respiratory and cardiovascular in the sense that it stimulates the development of inflammation in systems that are already suffering, resulting in flare-ups”, said Sofia Pourikis, pulmonologist and intensivist of the ICU ” Salvation”.
It would be good, until the phenomenon goes away, for people with respiratory and cardiovascular problems to limit their movements.
“At this stage, people who have some chronic problems should be careful. We mean that they should avoid being outdoors, especially during the day, and stay indoors as much as possible,” added Ms. Pouriki.
And if the dust clears for a while, it looks like it will be back starting next week.
The African dust will subside from Thursday (25/4), however For two more days people dealing with underlying diseases should be extra careful.
Weather: These are the measures to deal with African dust
To protect yourself from dust:
- Close the windows and doors.
- While homes and workplaces should generally be ventilated, during African dust peak periods, ventilate a little in the morning and then keep windows and doors closed to prevent dust particles from entering your home or workplace. If you have one, use air cleaners or filters to improve indoor air quality.
- Use masks.
- When going outside, especially in dusty conditions, consider wearing a mask to reduce inhalation of dust particles.
- Stay hydrated
- Drink plenty of water.
Weather: How users commented on the orange… invasion
Number one trending on Twitter, as expected, is the weather. Many spoke of it as a precursor to an earthquake, others again connected the weather with sports and the successes of the Olympiakos football teams, while there were not a few who made humorous comments.
Let’s look at some of them:
Weather: An eerie image in the Peloponnese as well
Apocalypse images in Kalamata and in areas of Ilia as since Tuesday morning (23.4.24) the African dust has suffocated the capital of Messinia.
The temperature at noon on Tuesday had “climbed” to 32 degrees Celsius, where in combination with the strong hot wind that blows and also the African dust, they compose a suffocating atmosphere.
Winds in the Messinian Gulf blow south-easterly gales occasionally touching 8 Beaufort.
It is characteristic that from the beach of Kalamata, the area of Verga as well as the “Basket” mountain of Taygetos cannot be distinguished.
The Directorate of Public Health of the Region of Western Greece, in the context of prevention and protection of Public Health, taking into account the weather phenomenon of “African dust” that has overwhelmed the atmosphere of the region, informs you:
The “African dust” is a frequent phenomenon, in which dust particles from the surface of North Africa with the help of strong winds are dispersed in the atmosphere and transported to remote areas of the planet.
Suspended particles can cause or aggravate diseases of the respiratory system (Asthma, COPD, bronchitis, etc.), allergies (allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis, dermatitis, etc.), cardiovascular diseases, as well as create long-term health problems.
The people most vulnerable to exposure to “African dust” are infants, children, the elderly and people with chronic respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
It is therefore recommended, especially for the most vulnerable people:
- Limitation of activities outside the home while the phenomenon remains intense (avoid unnecessary movements, manual work and outdoor sports during the hours with the highest dust concentrations).
- Hermetically closing the windows and doors (e.g. placing carpets in the entrances) of the house in order to limit the entry of dust.
- Eye, nose and mouth protection (e.g. wearing a mask)
- Ensuring the necessary hydration, mainly with sufficient water consumption.
- Regular update on the current air quality in the area.
- Seeking medical advice and help in case of appearance or worsening of clinical symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath, itching etc.
The Deputy Regional Director of Public Health P.D.E., Anna Mastorakouon the occasion of the phenomenon, stated: “Vulnerable groups and patients with chronic diseases need to be particularly careful. In any event of discomfort, shortness of breath and persistent cough, contact health facilities immediately or consult the attending physicians. It is important that citizens take precautions for as long as the African dust phenomenon lasts, which worsens air quality and increases particulate matter levels in the atmosphere.”
Weather: The Kolydas forecast for African dust
The African dust that arrived in Greece since yesterday brought with it muddy rains, while in combination with the descending southerlies, it sent the mercury soaring to 32 degrees in Crete and the Peloponnese.
In the latest forecast of the director of EMY, Mr. Thodoris Kolidas, the African dust will accompany us until noon on Wednesday, with the peak of the phenomenon expected today, until Tuesday afternoon.
For the next few days and until Saturday, W-NW winds will prevail, so the dust will not be able to “visit” us.
What are the Foen-type winds that hit the country
Foen downwinds are the strong winds that blow on the leeward side of a mountain mass and descend towards its foothills. The maximum intensity of the winds is located in the foothills and weakens significantly at a short distance from the mountain mass. Downwinds can be either warm, in which case they are usually called Foen while its more common name is libas.
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