A blanket of fog and smog covers the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo this week, prompting residents to stay indoors. Air travel has been disrupted, with planes unable to take off or land due to visibility of just a few dozen meters.
The air quality index from Swiss IQAir exceeded 225, classifying the air as “hazardous” and “very unhealthy” all week. Only New Delhi, with a much larger population, had worse air quality on Wednesday.
Residents are experiencing significant discomfort from the smog, wearing masks and expressing health concerns. The city frequently encounters smog issues, partly because it is situated in a valley, causing fog to linger.
Additionally, temperature inversions trap cold air and smog near the ground. Air pollution in Sarajevo is further exacerbated in winter due to coal and wood burning, along with emissions from older vehicles.
Source: NOS