Asthma patients and people living with other respiratory conditions are struggling to cope with the unusual cold, dusty and foggy weather that has persisted in Kano State for several days, affecting health and economic activities.

The harsh harmattan which began on Saturday, has been accompanied by dense fog and dust-laden winds, making breathing difficult for many residents and forcing some to remain indoors.

Rukayya Bello, a journalist who lives with asthma, said the weather has disrupted her normal work routine and affected her health.

“In my line of work, I am used to going out to the field to report and spending most days at the office,” she said.

“But with this weather, I fear I might have an asthma attack. I have been on sick leave for three days now, and even at that, I am not 100 percent healthy,” she said.

Other residents shared similar experiences. Amina Sadiq said the dusty air has made her condition worse. “For people like us with asthma, this kind of weather is very dangerous. Once I inhale too much dust, I start struggling to breathe, so I prefer to stay indoors until it clears.”

The harsh weather has also slowed down economic activities. Musa Abdullahi, a commercial tricycle operator said fewer passengers come out early in the morning.  “By 6am, the roads are usually busy, but now everywhere is quiet,” he said.

“Many people don’t come out early because of the cold, and that affects our daily income. I am sharing this keke with someone, i get it in the morning and I have to hand it over in the evening. With this cold, I’m not making as much as I used to”

Across Kano metropolis, major roads that are normally busy in the early hours appeared unusually calm, while many markets, shops and business centres open much later than usual. The fog has also caused poor visibility, raising concerns for road users.

On Tuesday, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) issued an advisory, warning residents and motorists to be cautious. The agency advised people with asthma and other respiratory conditions to take necessary health precautions, as dust particles are expected to remain suspended in the air.

NiMet also warned that thick dust haze would affect Kano and other northern states, reducing horizontal visibility to 1,000 metres or less, and advised airline operators to obtain airport-specific weather reports.

The Director of Climate Change at the Kano State Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Umar Saleh Anka, in an exclusive interview, said the conditions are linked to the delayed onset of harmattan.

“The unusually cold and foggy weather we are experiencing in Kano is closely connected to the delayed arrival of harmattan this year,” Anka said.

“When Harmattan eventually sets in, it brings dry air, dust particles, low humidity, and a sharp drop in temperature, which creates hazy and fog-like conditions, especially in the mornings and evenings.Together, these factors intensify foggy conditions and irritate the airways.”

He added that the pattern of warm afternoons followed by cold mornings is typical of harmattan.“Because the air is very dry and the skies are clear, heat escapes quickly at night, leading to very cold early mornings,” he explained.

Speaking on the health implications, Anka warned that the conditions pose risks to vulnerable groups.

“Low temperatures, dry air and airborne dust are known to worsen asthma, bronchitis and other respiratory illnesses,” he said.

“This year is more challenging because lingering moisture from earlier rainfall is combining with dust, making the air more irritating.”

He advised residents, especially children, the elderly and those with respiratory problems, to take precautions.

“For vulnerable groups, especially the elderly, children, asthmatics, and those with bronchitis this mix of cold, dryness, and dust can be especially uncomfortable and may trigger health episodes if not carefully managed,” he emphasized.