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Deaths Soar and Planes Are Grounded as Moscow Battles Record Heat, Smoke
August 09, 2010

A Russian couple have a conversation while wearing facemasks to protect themselves from forest fire smog in central Moscow on Friday. Smog from wildfires in the countryside cloaked Moscow, with the levels of toxic particles raising alarm over public health and numerous commuters wearing anti-pollution masks. (AFP Photo/Alexander Nemenov) A Russian couple have a conversation while wearing facemasks to protect themselves from forest fire smog in central Moscow on Friday. Smog from wildfires in the countryside cloaked Moscow, with the levels of toxic particles raising alarm over public health and numerous commuters wearing anti-pollution masks. (AFP Photo/Alexander Nemenov)
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Moscow. Deaths in Moscow have doubled and are now averaging 700 people a day in the midst of a sweltering heat wave and poisonous smog from wildfires, a top Russian health official said on Monday.

Moscow health chief Andrei Seltsovky blamed weeks of unprecedented heat and suffocating smog for the rise in mortality compared to the same time last year, Russian news agencies reported.

He said city morgues were nearly overflowing, with 1,300 bodies, close to their capacity.

Acrid smog blanketed Moscow for a sixth straight day on Monday, with concentrations of carbon monoxide and other poisonous substances two or three times higher than what is considered safe.

Those airborne pollutants reached a record over the weekend — exceeding the safe limit by nearly seven times.

About 550 separate blazes were burning nationwide on Monday, mainly across western Russia, including about 40 around Moscow, according to the Emergencies Ministry.

Forest and peat bog fires have been triggered by the most intense heat wave in 130 years.

Alexander Frolov, head of the Russian weather service, said judging by historic documents giving anecdotal evidence, this heat wave could be unprecedented over a much longer period — up to 1,000 years.

“Our ancestors haven’t observed or registered a heat like that within 1,000 years,” Frolov said. “This phenomenon is absolutely unique.”

He said the Moscow heat wave reflected the global climate’s increased volatility.

Daily highs have reached up to 38 degrees Celsius, compared with the summer average high of 24 degrees Celsius, and according to the official forecast, there will be no respite this week.

At least 52 people have died directly in the wildfires and more than 2,000 homes have been destroyed. Flights to Moscow have been delayed and diverted.


Associated Press