African dust “wrapped” Attica with minimal visibility – Pulmonologists’ instructions – Newsbomb – News

The image in the Basin of Attica was reminiscent of a science fiction movie scenario, with the atmosphere today due to the African dust creating eerie images.

The color of the city has changed to orange with citizens capturing the moment and sharing it on Social Media.

As captured in photos the new transport of dust particles from the Sahara composes an almost otherworldly scene for the city, more or less inconveniencing the majority of citizens “with significant health impacts through air quality degradation”as pointed out by Hellenic Pulmonology Society.

The instructions of Theodoros Vasilakopoulos for African dust

About the wave of African dust that has “covered” our country and is expected to leave, the professor of Pulmonology, Theodoros Vasilakopoulos, spoke to Newsbomb.gr from tomorrow.

Citizens suffering from respiratory diseases such as asthma are in an extremely unfavorable position bronchitis and the allergies. O Theodoros Vasilakopoulos he said that special attention should be paid to vulnerable groups, as well as people who have symptoms but do not know they have a chronic disease.

“Most people won’t have the slightest problem. Those who have a problem on a day like today are those who suffer from a respiratory system disease such as asthma or allergic rhinitis.” he originally said to Newsbomb.gr.

“These people should talk to their doctor in order to get instructions on how to modify their treatment, usually a little intensification of the treatment is needed,” he added.

“Symptoms are created in these individuals because they have inflammation, this inflammation is exacerbated when they inhale the suspended particles of the African dust,” he added.

“We have to distinguish two categories of people, the first is people who know their problem and the second category is people who show symptoms without knowing they have a disease. The second category must visit a doctor to be examined, diagnosed and treated. It is not at all normal for them to have severe symptoms such as coughing, shortness of breath, sneezing. If they have severe symptoms, it is possible that they have a disease that they are not aware of.” said the professor.

African dust “covered” the Attic sky – Spooky orange images

THE african dust, in this phase, it shows increased concentrations in the atmosphere and it is not predicted to subside within the next hours.

See in the following gallery photos as captured by photojournalist Haris Gikas’ camera:

The frequency and intensity of African dust phenomena in Greece can vary from year to year, from 7 to 20 episodes (average 13 episodes/year), depending on the atmospheric conditions and the amount of dust carried by the Sahara.

See photos from Attica:

Indicatively, we should arm ourselves with patience but also shield as much as possible at least until tomorrow at noon when, according to the meteo, its presence will have significantly decreased, as the winds will turn to the west.

Therefore, for the next few hours we have to limit outdoor activities. If possible, avoid spending extended periods of time outdoors when dust levels are high, especially during windy days when particles are more likely to become airborne.

See images from Kifissia:

Experts recommend caution

African dust has covered most of the country. The dust cocktail and mud rain looks like it will go on for two 24 hours still.

While the atmosphere is suffocating, doctors draw attention to people with an already burdened history.

“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 outbreaks“, said Sofia Pouriki, pulmonologist and intensivist of the “Sotiria” ICU.

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 Sofia Pouriki.

And if the dust clears for a while, it looks like it will be back starting next week.

THE African dust will retreat from the Thursday, however for two more days people who are dealing with underlying diseases should be especially careful.

Kalamata was “hidden” by the dust

H Kalamata is covered by one dust cloud. The sky is red while the atmosphere stifling. Cars have been covered in its dust Sahara while visibility is limited.

According to messinialive, the stormy southerlies they have brought quantities of Saharan dust, making the atmosphere stifling especially for those with respiratory problems.

The African dust has choked since Tuesday morning and its regions Ilias.

The temperature at noon on Tuesday had “climbed” to 32 degrees Celsius, where combined with the strong hot wind that blows and the African dust, they create a suffocating atmosphere.

According to the director of the EMY, Thodoris Kolydas, however, the African dust will begin to recede from the atmosphere from the morning of Wednesday (24.4.2024) and by noon it will have decreased significantly.

Wednesday’s weather forecast

According to meteorologists, the western, central and northern continental areas are forecast to be partly cloudy increased with a few local ones rains till afternoon.

Isolated storms they will manifest in the northwest in the early morning hours and again at night. In the rest of the country, sparse clouds are predicted, temporarily denser in the southern Aegean.

Meteorological conditions favor the transport of African dust mainly to the east and south.

Winds in the west, central and north will blow from westerly directions 4 to 6 Beaufort. In the rest of the areas they will initially blow from south directions 4 to 6 and locally in the eastern Aegean 7 to 8, but they will quickly weaken and turn to west southwest 3 to 5 and in the south 5 to 6 Beaufort.

The temperature will drop slightly in the west.