The air quality in the northeastern city of Miskolc continues to deteriorate as a dangerous fog blankets the city. The fog is a combination of weather conditions, dust, dirt, and the by-products created as residents use oil, wood, and coal for heating.
The Nature Protection and Water Management Inspectorate for North Hungarian says that a warning was triggered on Wednesday evening when monitoring stations in Miskolc measured dangerous levels of dust in the air.
Miskolc Mayor Ákos Kriza has made a public announcement asking the town’s residents to cut back on the solid fuels used for heating, specifically coal-, wood- or oil-fired heaters. Kriza has also asked residents to not drive their own cars if they have to get around but instead use the public transport in the city.
The weather forecast for the region is adding to the concern that the conditions in Miskolc are unlikely to improve. While there is a front moivng through Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén county, the respite will only be temporary. After Saturday, another cold front will nestle into the region and will cause the air quality to deteriorate even further.