According to Reuters, on Tuesday, the air quality in Sydney dropped significantly due to smoke from bushfires in the north blanketing the city and reaching levels comparable to those in New Delhi, one of the most crowded capitals in the world. This unusual occurrence led to grey clouds over the iconic Opera House and Harbour Bridge, with visible smoke in the air, even though Sydney is typically known for its beaches and blue skies.
The air quality index in areas north of the city’s downtown hit 161 after 5 p.m., which is considered a level at which people are advised to avoid prolonged outdoor exercise. However, the Rural Fire Service mentioned that southerly winds should help dispel the smog by evening, providing some relief.
The smoke, originating from fires burning across an area almost the size of Greater London, had drifted hundreds of kilometers south. Authorities have warned of a high-risk bushfire season in Australia this summer, after two quieter seasons. This follows the devastating 2019-2020 “Black Summer” fires that destroyed an area the size of Turkey and claimed the lives of 33 people.
Due to a large bushfire south of Narrabri, energy company Santos ceased work on a gas project northwest of Sydney, stating that the fires in the Pilliga are of great concern. Although there is no immediate risk to their facilities, they have temporarily shut down their operations.
Notably, in New Delhi, where the air quality index levels range between 74 and 225, scientists recently planned to use cloud seeding to alleviate the situation. Meanwhile, Sydney’s air quality was comparable to one of the most polluted cities in the world.
(Reporting by Lewis Jackson; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
