Respiratory health concerns

By MELYNE BAROI
THE National Weather Service urges people to take care of their respiratory health as the country enters dry season in the next two months.
Gomoga said cold season was expected as a result of the increased southern trade winds.
“The cold phenomenon will depend on the trade winds that are pushing in cold air from the south to the tropics,” he said.
“Because much of the air is dry and cold, dry coughs and colds will be associated with the season.”
Gomoga further advised that people should keep warm during July and August to avoid illnesses.
“We are aware of seasonal illnesses like colds and flu and with the winter season for Australia in June and August we should expect much side effects,” he said.
“In the long run, we will be having a normal season but some part of PNG will be drier and they include West Sepik, East Sepik, East New Britain, Milne Bay and Madang.”
When asked about the Alphelion phenomenon, Gomoga said the amount of sun’s heat that was
being absorbed by the seas varied and that showed in the winds systems.
“Fact is, the sun energy doesn’t change but what is received by earth is stored in the seas,” he said.
“This allows us to monitor whether the winds coming in are hot or cold and then we can predict a drought season for our country.”