Air quality in Tashkent deteriorated sharply with the Uzbekistan Hydrometeorological Service (Uzhydromet) reporting that concentrations of fine particulate matter exceeded national safety limits.
According to Uzgidromet the 24-hour average concentration of fine particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5), (particles ≤ 2.5 micrometres) rose to 202 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³), about 3.4 times the national safe limit of 60 µg/m³. Larger PM10 (particles ≤ 10 micrometres) reached 373 µg/m³, approximately 20% above the threshold of 300 µg/m³.
The sharp decline was felt by residents who reported a burning odour in the air. Officials warned residents to limit outdoor activity for several days adding that the adverse weather conditions may cause elevated pollution levels for a few days.
The sudden spike in airborne particulates comes after several days when air quality had been near acceptable levels.
Uzhydromet claims the rise was driven by a temperature inversion - a scenario where cooler air becomes trapped beneath warmer air, preventing pollutants from dispersing and causing accumulation of fine particles.
The agency also warned that similar conditions are expected to persist in other parts of the country for the next few days.
Data from the World Bank show that in Tashkent, key human-caused sources of PM2.5 include residential heating (28%), transport (16%) and industry (13%), while wind-blown dust accounts for 36% in summer months.
Prior levels of fine particulate pollution have placed Tashkent among the world’s most polluted cities, with annual average PM2.5 readings far exceeding the World Health Organisation (WHO) guidance of 5 µg/m³.
Authorities urge residents and visitors to reduce outdoor time and wear masks when outside, particularly vulnerable individuals with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions.
On the commercial side, demand for air-purifiers and humidifiers in Tashkent surged by 35% in recent days, and respirator-mask sales nearly doubled.
Without sustained improvement in emission sources, air-quality episodes will likely recur, especially during seasonal inversion conditions.
U.S. President Donald Trump has called it “a disgrace” that Ukraine has resumed attacks on Russian oil refineries. Attacks are continui...
Armenia is looking to turn shared environmental challenges into opportunities for regional cooperation, with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan highlig...
In an interview with AnewZ’s Sabir Safarov, Houthi-aligned journalist Hussain al-Bukhaiti warns of possible attacks on Saudi Arabia’...
The Saudi-led coalition said early Thursday that it intercepted and destroyed a drone over Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province.
The U.S. has banned government employees working in Saudi Arabia from using airports in the country without special authorisation. It comes after a deadly Houthi strike on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport killed at least 13 people last week.
Ukraine is set to restart attacks on Russian oil refineries following a two-day pause, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, amid growing tensions with Washington over energy strikes and U.S. military support.
U.S. President Donald Trump has called it “a disgrace” that Ukraine has resumed attacks on Russian oil refineries. Attacks are continuing from Russia and Ukraine as media reports say Ukraine has almost run out of Patriot interceptor missiles.
Kenya has confirmed a second case of Ebola, intensifying efforts to prevent the spread of the virus after the country recorded its first-ever infection earlier this month.
In an interview with AnewZ’s Sabir Safarov, Houthi-aligned journalist Hussain al-Bukhaiti warns of possible attacks on Saudi Arabia’s water and power infrastructure, dismisses concerns over global trade and acknowledges Iranian assistance in developing the group’s missiles.
Armenia is looking to turn shared environmental challenges into opportunities for regional cooperation, with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan highlighting the potential for stronger ties with neighbouring countries through biodiversity protection.
Student organisations, opposition groups and youth-led activists took to the streets in Patna and Mumbai on Friday (16 October), demanding the resignation of India's Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar, amid a row over changes to voter lists.
The U.S. has banned government employees working in Saudi Arabia from using airports in the country without special authorisation. It comes after a deadly Houthi strike on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport killed at least 13 people last week.
From international tourism and major reconstruction projects to a film premiere and political developments, Garabagh’s transformation takes centre stage in the AnewZ Daily Brief for 16 October 2026.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment