Floods in Pakistan

Whilst fires rage in Russia, water washes land away in Pakistan, and with it the homes of app. 14 million people, which equals a quarter of the UK population. Even though the world is alarmed and mobilised, the enormity of the catastrophy hampers all efforts.

Moscow still smog-covered

Komsomolskaya Pravda issued a map of the wildfires sweeping through western and southern Russia. Smog still persists in Moscow and reaches as far St Petersburg and Ekaterinburg, 1,500km west of Moscow.

Wildfires in Russia Continue to Burn

Wildfires in Russia are  still partiallyout of control. Flames are also raging around Tschernobyl, potentially causing the release of radioactive particles into the air, government officials warn. Moscow is still under a thick smog blanket. See Pravda photogallery for image documentation.

Wildfires in Russia

For the first time in my life, I experience extensive coverage of a natural catastrophy in Russia. Either such things did not happen in the past (unlikely) or the Kreml simply did not let the news spread (likely). Anyway, Pravda amongst other news agencies report that countless fires rage in Central Russia sparked by the heat wave. It has been the hottest July since record, giving Moscow temperatures of ca. 35C and more as opposed to usually 23C average.
Fires are sweeping across all western and southern counties surrounding Moscow, dramatically increasing pollution in the capital. So far the fires have claimed 48 victims. The respective counties are in a state of emergency. Authorities fear that they will not have enough professional firefighters and that the flames could reach a nuclear plant near Sarov (south of Moscow), the Nuclear Research Center of Russia. (Source picture: Pravda)