Pollution records in Kiev after the Chernobyl forest fires

Carried by unusual gusts of wind and a sandstorm, thick smoke now envelops Kiev, the capital of Ukraine, two weeks after forest fires broke out in the Chernobyl exclusion zone, around one hundred kilometers away.

The Ukrainian capital was enveloped on Friday April 17 in thick smoke, notably from forest fires in the exclusion zone of Chernobyl, the level of pollution in the morning in Kiev being classified among the worst in the world. Kiev, which has more than 3 million inhabitants, was struck Thursday evening by a Sandstorm caused by gusts of wind, before diving into a huge cloud smoke with a strong burning smell.

Cancellation rates are in compliance

Friday morning, Kiev was at the top of the pollution levels ranking, established by IQAir, a company specializing in the technology of air quality and based in Switzerland. Authorities have blamed forest fires, particularly in the exclusion zone of Chernobyl, theater in 1986 of the worst accident history in a hundred kilometers from Kiev, as well as the massive incineration of dry herbs by villagers, a widespread practice in Ukraine. " The phenomenon does not represent a chemical or radiological threat ", However, assured the State Service for Emergency Situations.

Independent observers have confirmed that the radiation rate in Kiev did not exceed the norm. The authorities called on the people of Kiev to stay at health home and keep their Windows closed. A Forest fire said a fortnight ago around the central Chernobyl accident, reinforced by gusts of wind and unusually dry weather. Hundreds of firefighters and rescue workers, as well as planes and helicopters dispatched to the scene finally succeeded in extinguishing the flames on Tuesday but they are continuing their fight against several fires still smoldering in this territory.

This will also interest you

Return to Chernobyl 30 years after the disaster In 1986, the Chernobyl reactor in Ukraine, then in the USSR, suffered an unprecedented accident. During one exercise, the power of reactor 4 increased until it caused an explosion. The Discovery Science channel returns to this tragedy in a documentary broadcast this Tuesday, April 26, 2016, at 7:50 p.m., and here is an extract.

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