Mali, a country with poor infrastructure in most of its regions amidst the hot, semi-arid Sahel region, has been suffering from intense heatwave, affecting schools and normal production and life in various sectors.
Schools have been seriously affected in Mali's capital of Bamako, as the government decided to cancel afternoon classes to protect pupils.
At Hamdallaye School, the packed, and not so well-ventilated classrooms crowded with students with faculties, made the indoor temperature soar close to 50 degrees Celsius, almost impossible to maintain focus.
"The heatwave is having a very negative impact on pupils' learning time. We have been asked to hold classes from 8:00 to 12:30, when in principle classes should be held from 8:000 to 17:00. We are obliged to do this because conditions are very difficult in these hot weather conditions. We have just finished the second term and the pupils' results have dropped considerably. Those who had an average between 12 and 14 in the first term have obtained 10 or 11 for this second term," said teacher Founeke Sisso.
"The classrooms are overcrowded and the heat makes it very difficult to concentrate. We're hot all the time, especially as the fans don't work regularly because of the power cuts," said Fatoumata Tounkara, another teacher at the school.
Regular power cuts across the country are making the situation even worse, as the country's state power company failed last year. Among the most affected is the informal sector where traders can hardly afford generators.
"It's very hot at the moment. It feels like it must be around 50 degrees today. We're under a shed and the heat is very intense because of the iron sheet. You don't even know where to put your head. It's as if there were no trees left in Mali. We need to find a solution to this heatwave, because it's getting harder and harder for us to work in these conditions," said Moussa Doumbia, a street vendor.
The tough heatwave, however, has brought massive opportunities to cooling-related businesses.
"Selling ice is very beneficial for me. A lot of people and the local bakers come here to buy it. However, when there are power cuts as is the case now, it becomes challenging for us to work. Otherwise, when the ice is available, we experience a surge in customer demand. Before the heatwave, we used to sell ice for 50 FCFA (about 0.082 U.S. dollars), but now, the price has doubled," said Magassouba Awa Diabate, an ice seller.
Heatwave engulfs Mali, affecting schools and various sectors
