Dusts from Sahara Desert causing trouble in the Caribbean

The Eastern and Southern regions of the Caribbean have been hit by large plumes of dust, said too have originated in the Saharan region of Africa. These plumes have engulfed some Caribbean nations, placing an opaque veil over them.

The region between Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago in the south and Barbados and Saint Lucia in the east is currently feeling the effects of the dust carried from the Sahara Desert in Northern Africa by strong winds.

One of the major concerns for the region is the health and safety risks posed by the dust, which has prompted local meteorological departments to issue advisories for the benefit of their citizens.

The Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service issued such an advisory recently, which states the following, “Air quality is thereby reduced and sensitive groups should take the necessary precautions.”

Considering the prevailing weather conditions and the visibility issues caused by moderate to thick haze in the region, a small craft advisory has also been issued. The Saharan Air Tracker shows that hazy conditions will persist well into the next week.

With that in mind, authorities in the affected region have asked citizens to be prepared in accordance with the forecast. The need to pay attention to at-risk individuals and ensure their safety has also been highlighted. It is yet to be seen how well the Eastern and Southern Caribbean regions will deal with this issue, as they continue to grapple with poor air quality and hazy conditions in the coming days.

According to the recent updates, A significant amount of Saharan dust concentration is currently over most of the eastern Caribbean including Aruba, consequently reducing the visible range in the area.

The officials in Aruba are advising the citizens to wear masks for a few days because the dust can irritate the skin as well as the eyes.