Saharan dust plume blankets Senegal and St. Vincent

A dense plume of Saharan dust is moving across West Africa and the Caribbean. In Senegal the dust has darkened the sky, sharply reduced visibility and degraded air quality in Dakar and numerous regions, prompting health warnings for children, the elderly and those with respiratory conditions. The national aviation and meteorology agency advised caution for flights and motorists.

In the eastern Caribbean, the same dust plume is reaching St. Vincent and the Grenadines, lowering visibility, affecting air quality and creating gusty east‑south‑easterly trades. Authorities warned residents to take precautions, and small‑craft operators were urged to exercise extreme care due to reduced visibility and moderate seas.

Both regions are expected to see the dust thin by mid‑week, with Senegal also anticipating rain and thunderstorms in its southern zones.