SURVING THIS HEAT WAVE IN ONITSHA__WEEK243 EPISODE 3

We are having some intense heat right now. I've never experienced this level of heat. I am in Onitsha right now and its so hot! It feels like the sun is hitting you on your head. Even in the evening you will be sweating in your room. You take a shower and within under ten minutes your sweating again.

I am trying to drink lots of water. I always have a bottle of water with me. Sometimes it's in the fridge to make it cold. I shower three times a day as otherwise I wouldn't be able to sleep. Fan is my best friend right now. As the light isn't reliable I always ensure I have my rechargeable fan charged. Then when the light cuts out I have my fan.

Going outside every day is tough. Going to Main Market or doing anything outside is tough. Even when wearing a cap or an umbrella you will still feel the sun. You will sweat and your clothes will be wet. Sometimes it makes me feel dizzy. Also going into a full keke will make you feel tired fast as there is body heat from everyone.

This heat is making me very unproductive. I won't lie. I used to be able to sit down for hours and write my hive posts or do my online work. However, as soon as the heat hits in the afternoon my head starts to hurt and I can't concentrate. I become very lazy and tired. I struggle to even read or write so I have to do it in the evening when the sun has gone down slightly. Nothing comes into my head in the afternoon. I find it hard to even sleep as everything is hot. I now do my work in the evening as everything is slightly cooler.

This heat is making me spend more. I have to buy cold water everyday. So I end up buying cold drinks, pure water and sometimes ice cream to help me cool down. My fuel costs have gone up. As the light isn't reliable I have to fuel my little generator to keep my fan going in the evening. Otherwise it will be too hot and mosquitos to sleep. My NEPA bill has gone up as my fan and fridge are on most of the day.

However, I am trying my best. I try to go outside in the morning before 10am. After 10am the sun is too much. If I can I try to stay in until around 4pm when the sun has died down. I wear light clothing such as polos and shorts. I avoid wearing jeans as they make your body hot. I also try to stay in the shade.

Last week I went to Main Market around 2pm. Big mistake! The sun was too much. I was sweating like I was being cooked. My phone was even hot in my pocket. When I got home I was so tired I couldn't do anything else that day. I learnt my lesson.

This heatwave is really showing us that our climate is changing. We need to plant more trees, drink more water and look after ourselves. The government need to help us with better electricity as without the light in this heat it's really tough.

How are you coping? Are you also spending more?

IMAGE USED IS META AI