Heatwave in Togo: taking

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Extract from the article: What kind of saint will the Togolese be worshipping at this time of extreme heat? For several days now, many people have been finding it difficult to sleep in their rooms at midday and during the night. During the day, with temperatures between 30 an

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What kind of saint will the Togolese be worshipping at this time of extreme heat? For several days now, many people have been finding it difficult to sleep in their rooms at midday and during the night. During the day, with temperatures between 30 and 35°C, and even 40°C and above in some towns such as Mango, Dapaong and Cinkassé, it's hard to do any work in the sunshine.

The current heatwave is giving people a hard time, with temperatures above normal. Koffa, a bar manager in his thirties, wiped the sweat from his face and looked tired. The young man, who was drinking a glass of ice-cold water, said: "The heat of late has been heating things up. It's February and there's no rain yet, so it's hot. It's true that we're used to the heat, but lately it's been too much".

"It's very hot.  Towards evening, it gets a bit cooler, but as soon as you get into the room, it's a real problem.  Even the fan can't solve the problem.   And for some people, it's a nightmare. It's maybe around 3 in the morning when you go out that you manage to catch your breath a bit. It's better to stay outside to benefit from the natural air", exclaims Guillaume, a mason he met in Totsi.

How to explain this heatwave

Togo is a warm, sunny country all year round, so it's normal to expect plenty of sunny days when the rain is scarce during the dry season. On the other hand, with temperatures reaching their peak at times and in places, the heat in Togo in February is severe in all regions. This heat can also be accentuated by pollution. Indeed, Lomé is one of the cities with a fairly polluted atmosphere. This means that the heat, which must escape into the atmosphere, returns and is felt by the population.

Effects of heat on health

Excessive heat affects the body's ability to regulate its own temperature.  Prolonged exposure to heat can sometimes throw the body out of balance, preventing it from playing its normal regulatory role. "When the ambient temperature is high, dehydration can occur, i.e. the body loses water. This can lead to extreme fatigue , a feeling of heaviness, dizziness and even sleep disturbances. Some people even faint when the heat is very intense. The skin can also suffer, losing its radiance", explained Dr Jean-Claude Bakpatina, General Practitioner at the Floréal clinic in Lomé.

According to James Creswick, WHO Technical Adviser on Environment and Health, heatwaves are of particular concern for the elderly, infants, people who work outdoors and people with chronic illnesses. Prolonged exposure to heat can aggravate existing conditions such as cardiovascular, respiratory and kidney disease, as well as mental health problems. It can also lead to heat exhaustion and, worse still, heat stroke.

Taking action

During this period of heat, it is advisable to drink plenty of water to recover the water expended by the body. Sensitive people should be protected by taking regular showers or simply pouring water over their bodies regularly. Avoid activities that cause the body to sweat a lot and lose water. Stay in airy places to benefit from the wind and cool your body. Clothing should also be fairly light in these hot weather conditions. 100% cotton clothing is also the best to wear in these hot weather conditions.

Jean ELI