The key facts

  • On October 20, the air in Tashkent was 'moderate' on the AQI
  • At night, PM2.5 and PM10 are expected to rise, with a 'yellow' level on the national index
  • By the morning of October 21, improvement to the 'moderate' level is forecast

What the ecology committee forecasts

The National Committee for Ecology and Climate Change reported that on the night of October 21, air quality in Tashkent will change again. During the day on October 20, it remained at the 'moderate' level on the international AQI index. According to forecasts, in the evening the content of PM2.5 and PM10 particles in the atmosphere will rise, and at night and in the morning the air will be assessed as 'unhealthy for sensitive groups' on the international index and 'yellow' on the national scale.

Reasons for the deterioration

'At night, the drop in air temperature to approximately +9 degrees, weak wind and a strong temperature inversion limit air exchange. As a result, pollutants may accumulate in the layer close to the earth's surface,' the committee's statement says.

Expected improvement

On the morning of October 21, as the inversion weakens, air quality should gradually improve and return to the 'moderate' level on the international AQI index, the committee forecasts.