- Meteorologist Luis Vargas highlighted the presence of Sahara dust that will remain in the country at least until July 12 | Photo: Pexels
The National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology (INAMEH) reported on July 8 that tropical wave number 18 is located east of the state of Sucre, and forecast rains of varying intensity accompanied by electrical activity in several regions of Venezuela.
Inameh predicts that cloud cover will increase in the aforementioned entities at night due to the interaction of the wave with the intertropical convergence zone.
What is the tropical convergence zone?
It is the region located on the equatorial line, where the trade winds of the northern hemisphere meet those of the southern hemisphere. In this zone, ascending air currents are formed.
These are the entities that will register rain, according to the agency:
-Capital district
– West of Miranda
– La Guaira
– Aragua
– Carabobo
– Essequibo Guyana
– Sucre
– Guarico
– Bolívar
– Amazonas
– Southeast of Apure
– Cojedes
– East of Falcon
– South of Zulia.
For Greater Caracas, rain is forecast for this followingnoon and evening, some with electrical activity. Maximum temperatures in this area will be 29°C and minimum temperatures of 19°C, with moderate winds.
In the western region, specifically in Yaracuy, rain is expected in the followingnoon and evening, and for the rest of the area the sky will remain partly cloudy.
Through the official account on the social network X (formerly Twitter), the meteorological agency added that tropical wave number 19 will reach Venezuelan territory on July 14.
Sahara dust
Meteorologist Luis Vargas reported on July 8, through his X account, regarding the presence of the Sahara dust In Venezuela.
The expert stressed that this phenomenon will limit the formation of rains, although it will not completely eliminate them due to the transit of the tropical wave from the east to the center of Venezuela.
Vargas stressed that Saharan dust will remain in the country at least until July 12.
Between January and April 2024, Saharan dust has been reported four times. The last episode was on April 23.
What is Sahara dust?
Sahara dust is a phenomenon in which a significant amount of sand from this desert is raised into the atmosphere and spread to several countries in America and Europe.
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) explains in its Web page Sand rises when warm desert air collides with cooler air from the Sahel region. As the rising particles swirl, intense trade winds begin to blow westward across the North Atlantic.
The PAHO says that this sand from the Sahara Desert can contain bacteria, viruses, spores, iron, mercury and pesticides that it picks up as it passes through deforested areas of North Africa, which can cause health problems.
In many cases, the presence of Sahara dust can cause persistent flu or allergies without apparent cause that might be caused by contact with particles of biological origin present in the mist.
Recommendations to protect yourself from the phenomenon
PAHO shares several recommendations to prevent Sahara dust from affecting health:
-Use a face mask or, failing that, a damp cloth handkerchief to cover the nose and mouth, especially for people with chronic respiratory diseases (COPD, asthma), older adults, pregnant women, and children.
-Wash with plenty of water if you feel foreign bodies in your eyes. It is preferable to use drinking water, boiled water or chlorinated water.
-Cover water sources to prevent contamination.
-Use personal protective equipment such as protective glasses, face masks, or moistened cloth handkerchiefs to cover your nose and mouth.
-Wet areas of the house before sweeping to prevent accumulated dust from spreading.
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2024-07-09 01:22:10
