Athens sky transforms into orange hues amidst dust storm

PTC News Desk: Athens and various Greek cities found themselves shrouded in a yellow-orange haze on Tuesday as clouds of dust originating from the Sahara swept across the region, marking one of the most severe episodes of such phenomena since 2018, officials reported.

The atmospheric conditions, driven by strong southerly winds, drastically reduced visibility and prompted concerns from authorities regarding respiratory health risks associated with increased concentrations of fine pollution particles.

Kostas Lagouvardos, the weather research director at the Athens Observatory, described the event as one of the most significant instances of dust and sand concentrations from the Sahara since March 21-22, 2018, particularly impacting the island of Crete.

This recent dust storm adds to previous occurrences in late March and early April, affecting not only Greece but also parts of Switzerland and southern France.

The release of 60 to 200 million tonnes of mineral dust annually from the Sahara contributes to these events, with the smallest particles capable of traveling thousands of kilometers, potentially reaching across Europe.

Amidst the haze, warnings from authorities highlighted the potential reduction in sunlight and visibility, as well as the elevated health risks, especially for individuals with underlying health conditions.

However, relief is on the horizon, as the Greek weather service predicts clearing skies by Wednesday. The persistent strong southerly winds have also exacerbated wildfire risks, leading to unseasonal early outbreaks in the southern regions of the country.

According to the fire service, 25 wildfires erupted across Greece in the past 24 hours, with three individuals arrested on the island of Paros for suspected involvement in a scrub blaze. Fortunately, swift containment efforts prevented significant damage or injuries. Meanwhile, another blaze near a naval base on Crete was successfully brought under control on Tuesday.