Reports of so-called “acid clouds” moving from Iran towards Central Asia are not supported by scientific data, national hydrometeorological services in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan say, adding there is no threat to the region.
In recent days, speculation about a possible environmental threat has spread widely across social media and messaging platforms, raising concern among users in Central Asia. Posts claimed that, following strikes on Iran’s oil infrastructure, large amounts of harmful substances had been released into the atmosphere, potentially forming dangerous air masses capable of travelling long distances.
Earlier, Israeli officials said strikes had targeted around 30 oil storage tanks in Tehran. Fires reportedly broke out at several facilities, sending large plumes of smoke above the Iranian capital. Local reports also mentioned dark precipitation resembling acid rain after the attacks.
However, meteorological specialists say claims about so-called “acid clouds” moving towards Central Asia have no scientific basis.
According to Kazakhstan’s national hydrometeorological service, Kazhydromet, acid precipitation forms from sulphur and nitrogen oxides typically released by industrial activity, energy production and transport, usually close to the source of emissions.
“Acid precipitation forms close to emission sources. When air masses travel over long distances, the concentration of these substances decreases significantly due to natural atmospheric processes,” Kazhydromet told AnewZ.
Experts explain that as air masses move across large distances, pollutants disperse through atmospheric mixing and natural deposition, making the formation of hazardous acid precipitation thousands of kilometres away from the source extremely unlikely.
Monitoring data show no signs of such pollutants moving towards Kazakhstan or other countries in Central Asia.
Specialists are urging the public to rely on information from official meteorological and environmental services and to treat unverified claims circulating online with caution.
Georgia’s International Maritime Forum has closed in Batumi with officials setting out investment targets, timelines and technical plans aime...
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) said on Wednesday they attacked two U.S. vessels and eight oil tankers in the Persian Gulf, calling the st...
Iran says it has delivered on its promise of a “faster, heavier and more painful” response to Washington, striking U.S. bases, warships...
Four people were killed, including a child, in Ukrainian strikes on the Russian port city of Novorossiysk overnight, according to the governor of the Krasnodar region. Ukraine's drone forces commander, Robert Brovdi, said Russian military ships were destroyed in the attacks.
A TV channel was struck during a live broadcast on Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, as Russian strikes on Kyiv killed at least three people, the city's Mayor Vitali Klitschko said. Meanwhile, drones hit civilian infrastructure in Russia's southwestern Saratov region.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said its forces destroyed five Iranian crude oil carriers after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) allegedly launched two ballistic missile attacks against a U.S. Navy warship over the past two days.
Wildfires have broken out in Türkiye’s Antalya province, forcing hundreds of people to evacuate as strong winds fuelled the flames.
U.S. special envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff have held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Sunday on efforts to end Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Georgia’s International Maritime Forum has closed in Batumi with officials setting out investment targets, timelines and technical plans aimed at expanding the Middle Corridor and strengthening the country’s role in global trade.
Iran says it has delivered on its promise of a “faster, heavier and more painful” response to Washington, striking U.S. bases, warships and commercial vessels early on Wednesday.
Central Asian foreign ministers have marked 20 years since a landmark nuclear-free treaty, reaffirming their commitment to regional security, nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament.
Saudi Arabia’s international leisure tourism industry is forecast to grow by 93 per cent between 2025 and 2030, as the kingdom expands beyond religious travel. The figures were presented during WTM Spotlight Riyadh, where industry leaders discussed the growing tourism market.
The Houthi movement has fired missiles and drones towards Saudi Arabian cities and energy facilities, opening another potentially dangerous front in a wider regional conflict involving Iran and the United States.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment