Dakar, Dec 18 (APS) – Air quality in Dakar will remain very degraded this Thursday, indicates a joint weather forecast from the National Agency for Civil Aviation and Meteorology (ANACIM) and the Center for Management of air quality (CGQA), predicting a strengthening of the wind over the Sahara which will carry more dust towards Senegal.
”Over the next 48 hours, the air quality index remains red (very poor)”, forecasters indicate.
Between Wednesday and Friday, ”the wind will strengthen over the Sahara desert, thus leading to an uprising and transport of dust towards Senegal,” the bulletin informs.
He specifies that this dense layer of dust will concern the entire country, more particularly the regions of Dakar, Thiès, Diourbel, Fatick, Kaolack, Kaffrine, in the center and the west, as well as those of Saint-Louis, Louga, Matam, Podor, Linguère, Tambacounda, in the northern and eastern part.
”Visibilities will therefore be greatly reduced in the aforementioned areas becoming less affected in Casamance,” adds the same source.
The bulletin also specifies that ”the reduction in visibility is closely linked to the density of dust which in turn degrades air quality”.
Forecasters announce that a ”gradual drop in particle concentrations is also expected from Saturday”.
In the meantime, they affirm that ”vigilance remains essential and the wearing of a mask is recommended”. ”Given the degree of exposure to high concentrations of particles, it is advisable not to expose yourself too much to the ambient air and to avoid intense sporting activities outside” recommend the ANACIM and the CGQA.
According to them, ”the air quality is very poor today in Dakar with very high concentrations of particles in the ambient air”.
They specify that ”particles (PM10) exceed 1000 micrograms per cubic meter and (PM2.5) 500 micrograms per cubic meter in ambient air”.
AB/ASG/ADL
