Air pollution levels in Colombo to improve due to change in wind direction - official

The air pollution levels in Colombo’s atmosphere which have doubled due to India’s smog is likely to reduce due to the change in wind direction, authorities said.

H.D.S. Premasiri, a senior scientist at the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO), cited dust from constructions and winds blowing towards Sri Lanka from India, as the reasons behind the current pollution in Colombo.

“However, we believe that dust particles will reduce since there is a change in wind direction,” Premasiri told Times Online.

 Delhi has been covered in a cloud of dust mostly due to pollution from vehicles and industry, a situation that saw air levels remaining at a hazardous level, according to foreign media reports.

Premasiri said the NBRO will remain “vigilant” and alert the public on precautions to be taken if the situation worsens.

He observed that dust particles in Sri Lanka’s atmosphere which stood at 40 micrograms during the last two weeks had doubled upto 80 micrograms today.

"If dust particles exceed 50 micrograms then we classify it as a high risk level," he noted.