- Title: RUSSIA: SMOKE FROM FOREST FIRES LEAVES MOSCOW BLANKETED IN SMOG.
- Date: 5th September 2002
- Summary: (EUROPE) MOSCOW, RUSSIA (SEPTEMBER 4, 2002) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 1. LV/GV: VIEW OF THE SMOG COVERING CENTRAL MOSCOW; HIGH BUILDING IN SMOKE; VIEW OF THE BRIDGE WITH TRAFFIC; POLICEMEN IN SMOKY STREET; CITY TRAFFIC; PEOPLE IN THE DIM STREETS (6 SHOTS) 0.40 2. MCU: (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) OLGA, MOSCOW RESIDENT, SAYING: "Yes, smog bothers me. It's difficult to breath". 0.48 3. GV: PEOPLE IN THE SQUARE 0.55 4. MV: (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) YELENA, MOSCOW RESIDENT, SAYING: "Bad air bothers us. It's hard to get up in the morning, and we don't open the windows in our apartment. The smell of smoke is in our flat too. We want good fresh air". 1.08 5. LV: VIEW OF RUSSIAN CHURCHES IN SMOKE, VIEW OF SKYLINE (2 SHOTS) 1.18 6. MCU: (SOUNDBIET) (Russian) ALEXEY LAYKHOV, HEAD OF MOSCOW'S METEOROLOGICAL CENTRE SAYING: "The reason for this is smoke being in Moscow and Moscow region is lack of rains, forest fires in the region and very dry weather. All this leads to the accumulation of various substances in the air. And such weather will last till the end of this week and I must say the situation is difficult". 1.42 7. LV/GV: SMOKE OVER THE CITY; BARGE ON THE MOSKVA RIVER AND UNIVERSITY BUILDING IN SMOKE (3 SHOTS) 2.00 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
- Embargoed: 20th September 2002 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: MOSCOW, RUSSIA
- Country: Russia
- Reuters ID: LVA60BYR31JDVVX5PIA2Q9987TLI
- Story Text: Heavy smog has covered the Russian capital, making it
difficult for people to breathe and see.
Moscow on Wednesday (September 4) was covered with
thick smog that has pushed carbon monoxide levels from two to
three times higher than their normal level, according to
Russian meteorologists.
The smog has been a reoccurring danger in Moscow
throughout the summer, rising up from hundreds of small fires
and burning peat bogs surrounding the city.
"The reason for this is lack of rain, forest fires around
Moscow and very dry weather," said Alexey Lyakhov, head of
Moscow's meteorological centre.
"All this leads to the accumulation of various substances
in the air. And such weather will last till the end of this
week and I must say the situation is difficult," he added.
Authorities are practically helpless to combat the
underground peat bog fires in what has been one of the driest
summers on record.
Muscovites and visitors in the capital complained that
the smog made it difficult to live and hoped that the
government could do something to clear the skies.
"Yes, smog bothers me. It's difficult to breath," said
Olga.
"Bad air bothers us. It's hard to get up in the morning,
and we don't open the windows in our apartment. The smell of
smoke is in our flat too. We want good fresh air," said Yelena
taking a stroll along the foggy park with her 10-year-old
daughter.
A rainfall would likely help put out the peat bog fires
and eliminate the smog, according to meteorologists, but no
rain is forecast for the coming week.
ik/jm
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