Athens saw a dramatic orange haze caused by dust clouds blowing in from the Sahara desert – one of the strongest episodes since 2018 – but the weather service predicted that skies would clear on Wednesday, the 24th of April, reports the British broadcaster BBC.
Air quality had deteriorated across Greece and the Acropolis in Athens was no longer visible on Wednesday morning due to dust. The dust cloud had spread as far as Thessaloniki in the north.
People with respiratory problems were advised to limit outdoor activities, wear protective masks and avoid intense exercise until the dust cleared.
Athens engulfed by orange clouds as Sahara dust covers large parts of Greece pic.twitter.com/deGy0pX7kJ
— PressTV Extra (@PresstvExtra) April 24, 2024
The Sahara emits between 60 and 200 million tonnes of mineral dust each year, most of which settles quickly, but smaller particles can travel long distances, reaching as far as Europe.
The atmosphere, especially in southern Greece, had become stifling because of the dust and high temperatures, which
a Greek meteorologist compared to the landscape on Mars.
The fire service on Tuesday reported 25 fires breaking out in the last 24 hours. One of the fires broke out near a naval base on the island of Crete, where temperatures exceeded 30 C and, according to local reports, homes and a kindergarten had to be evacuated.
The highest dust concentrations on Wednesday will move further east as a cold front with cleaner and fresher air will continue to move in from the west. By the end of the week, fresher and cleaner air will return to the eastern Mediterranean and temperatures will be back towards normal for this time of year.
Also read: Warning: Riga residents advised to spend less time outside because of air pollution
Follow us on Facebook and X!