Sydney Becomes 12th Worst City With Hazardous Air Quality, Climate Change Adds To Bushfire Crisis

Australia’s most populated city has also turned out to be the most polluted as a thick blanket of smog covered the entire city since November 12. The smoke from the bushfires wafted towards the Sydney basin from the Gospers Mountain in the north-west has resulted in the widespread smog.

The condition is expected to worsen in the coming days. Air quality is 10 times hazardous levels in some areas of Sydney, prompting authorities to issue a warning to stay indoors. The heavy smoke has made Sydney the 12th worst city in the world with hazardous air quality.

The blazes due to bushfire have already destroyed 500 houses in the states of New South Wales and Queensland. The crisis also claimed 6 lives since last month in the country. The temperature on November 13 reached 45 degrees in a few parts of the state and the condition has been exacerbated by the wind and the dust.

Speaking to the BBC, a Country Fire Service spokeswoman said, “All areas of the state are in danger today, with the potential for fires which do start to be uncontrollable by fire crews.” The government sent a warning to the citizens saying that the condition will be unhealthy for sensitive people and it may aggravate lung or heart diseases.

More than 575 schools were closed on November 12 and the requirement for help from people with respiratory issues like Asthma has increased above the average demand. The Australian reported that NSW Health has advised that children, older people and people with respiratory issues are more susceptible to the effects of air pollution. It also reads a message from NSW Health, “If you have asthma or a lung condition, reduce outdoor activities if smoke levels are high and if shortness of breath or coughing develops, take your reliever medicine or seek medical advice.’

Scientists say that climate change is one of the primary reasons for the intensification of forest fires. According to the Meteorology department, climate change has increased the severity of heat and natural disasters in Australia.

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