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It's really amazing during the harmattan period, but as time goes on within the months it becomes harsh to both man and plants. Harmattan is a period when we experience a dry but cold wind during the early hours of the day and hot dry wind during the noon period, towards the evening it becomes cold again. This is generated from the Sahara desert in North Africa then blown towards the west African regions or countries.
It really feels good as it occurs after a period of heat during late *November *to February of the next year, people feel happy as it shows the signs that Christmas season is around the corner. I had to take a walk to a nearby beach called Ndibe beach in Afikpo North of Ebonyi State as it looks so fascinating within the environment, so natural.
Sunrise here looks so sweet and synonymous to the work of arts.
There are lots of business opportunities here during this season,
the water gets low within the shores allowing fisher men to get some specie's of fish for consumption and commercial purposes, I had to buy few for a fresh fish pepper soup.
This period is used to excavate sands which generate lots of revenue for the state government.
Timber is a lucrative business here as it's been shipped from Cameron down here,
as I walked around I found this man making boat's with woods which they use to ferry across towns especially Cross River state which is just a stone throw, quite interesting.
However harmattan has its pros and cons, for instance, you won't feel much heat during the nights, when you do laundry it dry’s within few hours and sometimes minute's, you are not afraid of rain and would meet up with appointments at any time, due to the morning dew some plants produce beautiful flowers and fruits that are rare during the rainy days. Lower rate of malaria as mosquito lava breeding reduce drastically, the consumption of water is high which has lots of health benefits, foods are better preserved during this period especially grain's, yam, cassava, meat, etc . Nevertheless it's a good time for hunters as animals are dehydrated and weak, which makes them easy to hunt.
Some of the disadvantages of harmattan; it reduces skin moisture therefore causing dryness that you could see people with broken lips and foot's.
Outbreak of diseases like Cholera, conjunctivitis etc.
Nasal congestions and cough due to the dust particles in the air.
Poor visibility in some individuals.
Lots of dirt's as you move around for your daily routines.
Dehydration that you would need to drink water frequently.
Higher rate of fire outbreak due to bush burning.
Recommendations:
Avoid dusty environment.
Always wear a nose mask during journey.
If possible have your inhaler intact to clear nasal congestions.
Wash your hands before eating and rubbing your eyes
Wear clothes that would keep you warm
Always use oil creams after bathing to avoid skin dryness
Use lip glow or balm to prevent cracks.
I wish you all a blissful Christmas season!
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