The Harmattan flies over Senegal, Dakar under the dust

Text by: RFI Follow

A sandstorm from Mauritania covers a large part of the country. After the North, the particles propagated Tuesday February 25 towards the Center regions and on the coast. The civil aviation and meteorology agency calls for vigilance.

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From our correspondent in Dakar, Charlotte Idrac

Leaving classes for these students from a school in Dakar. They can finally stretch their legs. Due to poor air quality, schoolchildren are denied recreation. Precautionary measure for director Papa Kébé: “ We have recorded absences. But nevertheless, for the children who came, we obtained that they do not go out, that they stay in their class, in the shelter, during break hours. "

The air quality is still qualified as “ very bad ” this Wednesday, and visibility is reduced. The authorities recommend that sensitive people, children and seniors, limit their travel and avoid outdoor sports.

The dust and pollution cocktail: for Ndèye Khady Diouf, an asthmatic, it is a nightmare: “ It bothers me for everything, the breathing, the eyes, my whole body. It's hard, it's too hard, ”she complains.

In Dakar, there is a rush for masks. In this pharmacy, this mother just bought a dozen, " because there, it's just not possible, we barricaded the whole house and then we went out to the pharmacy to take the last precautions, and then we stay locked up for three days, that's what's planned. "

On the side of the road, Aziz Sambou also wears a mask. He works all day outside, at a gas station. " There, in my throat, I can feel that I'm swallowing dust. Look at my clothes, they are all dirty. I have never seen a storm like this. You can't see anyone 200 meters away. What to do ? "

You will have to be patient: according to the weather forecast, the layer of dust will gradually dissipate from Thursday.

Dakar overgrown with dust. Charlotte Idrac / RFI

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