Tashkent, Gulistan, Bukhara and 3 more cities: unhealthy air, AQI up to 206
As of 05:00 on 1 November, air quality is unhealthy (AQI above 151) in several cities. Uzhydromet station data (via WAQI, 04:48) show AQI readings of Gulistan 206, Bukhara 193, Tashkent 192, Namangan 169, Jizzakh 162 and Navoi 159. Tashkent's 12-hour average AQI is 197, and readings reached 233–235 in the late evening and overnight. Samarkand (127) and Qarshi (126) are unhealthy for sensitive groups. Fergana, Andijan, Termez and Urgench have much cleaner air (AQI 25–41).
Officials have not yet named a cause for the current pollution. The weather is not helping pollutants disperse. Tashkent has a wind of 1.6 m/s and Gulistan 1.2 m/s, with humidity of 75–93%, clear skies and no rain. Calm, clear autumn nights like these often bring a temperature inversion, when a layer of warm air traps colder air near the ground and keeps smoke and dust low over cities. Uzhydromet's bulletin of 30 October forecast a low pollution level for 31 October to 2 November. However, it uses a different index: the US EPA AQI tracks mainly fine particles hour by hour, while the bulletin's AII compares average levels of several pollutants with national limits. MET Norway forecasts no rain on 1–2 November. Rain is expected in Tashkent on 3 November (6.3 mm) and in Gulistan, Jizzakh, Bukhara and Navoi on 4 November. The air may clear after that.
Who should be careful and what to do
Children, older people, pregnant women and people with asthma, lung or heart conditions should take extra care. Wear an N95 or FFP2 mask outdoors. Cut back on running and other outdoor exercise. Keep windows shut in the evening, overnight and early morning, when readings are highest. If you have an air purifier, turn it on. Tourists can choose museums and indoor sights during the day and save long walks for the days after the rain. If you feel short of breath or have chest pain, see a doctor.
Sources
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