Moscow death toll doubles as fires rage
The evidence of global warming continues to mount as drought stricken Russia struggles with the worst heat wave in a thousand years and the resultant crop destruction and raging wildfires. Here’s the story from Newser:
People are leaving Moscow in droves, as smoke from surrounding wildfires chokes the city. The daily mortality rate has almost doubled from 360 or so to “around 700,” the city’s top health official said yesterday, though he blamed the punishing heat wave, rather than the smoke. He denied that the Kremlin was covering up the dangers of the smoke, the New York Times reports, saying, “This is no secret. Abroad,” he added, “people drown like flies, and no one asks questions.”
The death toll was certainly being hushed up last week, with health officials denying that bodies were piling up until one doctor announced his morgue had run out of space. Meteorologists say they expect the severe conditions to linger for several more days, and researchers say that climate change is partially to blame, the BBC reports.
Related articles:
- Death rate doubles in Moscow’s smoke, heat (scientificamerican.com)
- Moscow deaths double in Russia’s ‘worst ever’ heat (grist.org)
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Professor Mike
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I had no idea…. great, if sad, post Mike.
They can see the smoke from Alaska.
Damn. Those poor bastards. I hope the weather eases and the fires die down soon.
-SJ
This is scary stuff. What’s next?