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Healthcare
Business Honor
18 December, 2024
The Canary Islands issues health warning as a dust cloud from the Sahara impacts air quality and visibility.
The Canary Islands government declared a "state of pre-alert" after a cloud of dust from the Sahara Desert reached the archipelago, affecting air quality and visibility in various parts of the archipelago. This particular weather phenomenon is called a calima, which affects the Canary Islands during winter and spring. It results when strong winds carry the particles of dust across the Atlantic to affect popular destinations for tourists such as Tenerife, Lanzarote, and Gran Canaria.
According to national weather agency Aemet, yellow weather warnings were issued across all islands warning of reduced visibility to a depth of 3,000 meters and below, especially on south-facing slopes. The cloud is expected to continue all Wednesday, December 18th before conditions start to change Thursday, December 19.
The Canary Islands administration has warned that the dust would worsen respiratory problems of people, especially those already suffering from chronic diseases. Health authorities have asked people to close windows and doors and not step out of their homes. Patients with respiratory diseases have been asked to remain indoors; others have been advised to drink more fluids, exercise less, and be cautious at the wheel.
This haze can sometimes lead to a phenomenon known as mud rain, which occurs when the dust combines with rainfall, leaving a layer of mud on surfaces. Despite these temporary disruptions, normal conditions are expected to return soon, allowing the islands to resume their usual activities for residents and tourists alike.