- Title: RUSSIA: Cold front ends heatwave and clears smog over Moscow
- Date: 21st August 2010
- Summary: MOSCOW, RUSSIA (AUGUST 20, 2010) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF MANEZHNAYA SQUARE NEAR KREMLIN PEOPLE WITH UMBRELLAS IN TVERSKAYA STREET PEOPLE IN RAINCOATS ON MANEZHNAYA SQUARE PEDESTRIANS, CARS IN TVERSKAYA STREET PUDDLE (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) LYUDMILA, MOSCOW RESIDENT, SAYING: "You feel clearly the weather change. And it is a big difference compared to what we had. I myself feel uncomfortable." PEOPLE ON STREET (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) SERGEI, MOSCOW RESIDENT, SAYING: "This is the best option for Moscow. You don't feel the air pollution, wind is blowing. The environment is very important for us." PEOPLE ON STREET WEARING RAINCOATS (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSTAM, MOSCOW RESIDENT, SAYING: "So what about smog? Smog was not that bad, it was warm, that's the most important. I hate cold." CARS ON STREET AT MOSCOW TELEGRAPH OFFICE THERMOMETER DISPLAY ON STREET SHOWING PLUS 11 DEGREES CELSIUS (SOUINDBITE ) (Russian) NIKOLAI, MOSCOW RESIDENT, SAYING: "The air has become colder, it's easier to breath, I feel more comfortable. The heat made it hard to stay, I was sick and tired of it. That's why I'm really happy about this change." PEOPLE ON STREET OPEN AIR CAFE WITHOUT VISITORS WET TABLES, EMPTY CHAIRS AT OPEN AIR CAFE PEOPLE ON STREET WITH UMBRELLAS
- Embargoed: 5th September 2010 13:00
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- Reuters ID: LVA4X2HLJC7VEDSTEFKREMZSJHD4
- Story Text: The heatwave that gripped Moscow and surrounding regions for nearly two months was most definitely over on Friday (August 20), as a cold front hit western Russia sending temperatures plummeting.
A wave of cold air from the north and strong winds helped clear toxic smoke from raging wildfires that choked Moscow for more than a month, and rain help clear Moscow's streets of dust and grime from smog.
The smog over Moscow -- which sent pollution levels to their highest in decades -- almost doubled mortality rates in the capital and disrupted flights, consumer activity and even trading in Russian stocks and bonds.
In the last two days the temperature fell from over 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit) to 11 degrees (51.8 degrees Fahrenheit).
Not every Muscovite however was glad about this drastic weather change. Moscow residents expressed quite different attitudes to it.
"You feel clearly the weather change. And it is a big difference compared to what we had. I myself feel uncomfortable," said Moscow resident Lyudmila.
"This is the best option for Moscow. You don't feel the air pollution, wind is blowing. The environment is very important for us," another Muscovite, Segei said.
Some people even felt unhappy that the heat wave was gone.
"So what about smog? Smog was not that bad, it was warm, that's most important. I hate cold," said Rustam.
Nevertheless, many feel better and are glad for the relief after weeks of abnormally high heat.
"The air has become colder, it's easier to breath, I feel more comfortable. The heat made it hard to stay, I was sick and tired of it. That's why I'm really happy about this change," said Moscow resident Nikolai.
Moscow, a metropolis of over 10 million people, suffered from intense heat since late June, with day temperatures sometimes nearing 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit).
The crisis shriveled a third of Russia's grain crop, shaved billions off this year's economic growth and killed at least 54 people in wildfires.
A total of 27,724 fires, including 1,133 at burning peat bogs, have been detected in Russia since July, Emergencies Ministry said earlier this week.
The fires had affected a total of 134 villages and towns and destroyed some 2,000 homes. Around 1,100 people have been moved to temporary shelters. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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