A four-hour thick harmattan haze has disrupted the flight schedules of airlines and their passengers at the Muhammadu Buhari International Airport (MBIA), Maiduguri in Borno state.

The poor visibility at the airport forced three Maiduguri-bound flights to abort landing procedures at the Muhammadu Buhari International Airport.

The unaware affected aircrafts were compelled to turn back to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

The poor visibility at the airport left scores of passengers stranded as airlines wait for atmospheric and hazy conditions to clear for landing and take-off.

Aviation officials also confirmed that the low visibility, which was less than 200 metres as against the standard 1,000 metres of visibility made landing unsafe, as the thick harmattan dust covered the airspace over the state capital.

The early onset of harmattan in the Northeast region of the country to a meteorological shift and severe weather. Conditions.

Weather data also indicates that Borno State has officially transitioned out of the rainy season.

Current meteorological readings show a sharp decline in precipitation probability—17 per cent during the day and 7 per cent at night—with zero millimetres of rainfall expected.

Alongside the reduced visibility, the region is experiencing intense thermal conditions. Daytime temperatures in Maiduguri have reached 35 degrees Celsius under partially cloudy skies, creating severe heat stress during peak afternoon hours.

Light winds ranging between 10 and 15 kilometres per hour offer little relief or atmospheric clearing, though nighttime temperatures are expected to drop to a cooler 24 degrees Celsius.

Health experts urge caution

Medical experts in the state have warned that the rapid combination of heavy dust particles and extreme daytime heat presents immediate health risks, particularly for vulnerable groups.

Physicians like Dr Maryam Tijjani Gubio advise that inhaling airborne dust can trigger acute respiratory issues, severe asthma attacks, and chest infections.

The extreme dryness also increases the risk of dehydration and skin irritation.

“To mitigate these health risks, residents are advised to Wear protective face masks when outdoors to filter airborne dust particles,” she said.

She also advised that drinking water frequently throughout the day to stay hydrated and keep skin and lips moisturized.

While some of residents have resorted to Keeping their windows and doors tightly closed to limit dust accumulation inside homes and offices, Dr Gubio countered that “since it is not yet harmattan keeping doors and windows shut all day during hot weather could trigger other health concerns.”

The doctor also urged parents to restrict outdoor play for young children during peak dusty and hot periods.

“Apply light moisturizers or petroleum jelly around children’s nostrils to prevent dry nasal passages and nosebleeds,” she advised.

Meanwhile Airlines operating the Abuja-Maiduguri route continue to monitor the weather situation, advising passengers to confirm their flight statuses before proceeding to the airport.

“We hope to have one or two aircraft landing today when the weather improves,” said an airport worker in Maiduguri. (The Guardian)

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