Strong smog has been observed in Ust-Kamenogorsk since November 23, the Vlast publication reports . Environmentalists have noted a record excess of PM 2.5 particles.
“The day before, the East Kazakhstan region akimat reported that 64 schools in Ust-Kamenogorsk had shortened the last two lessons of the second shift, and on November 28–29, students in the first and second shifts studied remotely,” the report says.
It is noted that due to polluted air in the city, schoolchildren were transferred to distance learning for the first time.
Doctors have recommended that residents minimize their time spent outdoors. The Airkaz sensor shows that the PM 2.5 level is 309. At the same time, locals say that they continue to go to work and, mostly, without masks or respirators. They often travel by taxi or public transport. Fog is also observed periodically in the city.
The editors were provided with photos by residents of Ust-Kamenogorsk. This is how the city looks now.
On November 27, Kazhydromet confirmed that the content of carbon monoxide, fine particles PM2.5 and sulfur dioxide exceeded the maximum permissible values. Kazhydromet representative Lyubov Bukhtoyarova explained that the reason for the thick smoke is the windless weather that set in at the end of November, which experts call "unfavorable meteorological conditions." The air is not cleared, fog and humidity increase, causing harmful substances to accumulate in the atmosphere. The expert warned that there will probably be no wind until December 1.
Local ecologist Daulet Asanov states that “this is record pollution for the city.”
"What is happening is something that happens several times every year. There is absolutely no wind now, but the enterprises, the energy sector – everything continues to work as always. Naturally, all the harmful gases do not go anywhere, they hang over the city like a hat, and that's all, because of this we are now seeing such extreme concentrations of pollution in the city," he noted.
What else is known
Akim of Ust-Kamenogorsk Zhaksylyk Omar announced that he had left his post. He wrote that his "authority had expired," but did not explain what that meant.
"For more than six years, you and I and my colleagues have been working together to make our city better, more comfortable and more beautiful. I think a lot has been achieved. A good pace has been gained and difficult issues have been resolved," Omar wrote.
It should be noted that the vkims of regional centers in Kazakhstan are not elected, but appointed by higher-ranking akims in agreement with the local maslikhat. Moreover, they are appointed for an indefinite period.
Omar, 44, has been the mayor of Ust-Kamenogorsk since August 2018. He previously served as deputy akim of the East Kazakhstan and Almaty regions, head of the culture department, and head of the internal policy department of East Kazakhstan. For several years, Omar has been under fire for failing to address the environmental problems of the 300,000-strong city, as well as for spending money to bolster his image.
Subscribe to our Telegram channel