Excessive air pollution from South to North
South winds carried sand and dust from Sinai that covered most of the country; An Austrian Airlines flight from Vienna to Ben Gurion Airport had to turn back due to the unusual amount of dust in the air.
The smog that spread over Israel's skies Sunday came from the Sinai Peninsula and is only growing heavier, causing heavy air pollution in most parts of the country and disruption of air traffic.
An Austrian Airlines flight from Vienna to Ben Gurion Airport turned around over the Mediterranean resort town of Marmaris, re-landing in Vienna. Representatives of the airline in Israel told Ynet that "the airplane returned to Vienna following the abnormal amount of dust in the air."
Particle concentration data demonstrated a surge in air pollution in the afternoon hours. Until early morning, air pollution was relatively tolerable, but it was around noon that exceedingly high pollution levels were registered in the south and in the center. The peak was recorded at 2:00pm in Be'er Sheva—5 times the daily average. Ashkelon, Ashdod, Rehovot and Modi'in registered particularly high air pollution in the afternoon as well.
The thick pollution is expected to last into the night. The particle concentration should significantly drop once it starts raining, which is expected to happen overnight.
The Ministry of Environmental Protection issued a warning following the afternoon heavy air pollution spreading from the south to the center and up north.
It is highly recommended for people with heart or lung diseases, the elderly, children and pregnant women to avoid strenuous physical activity, and spending unnecessary time outside. The healthy population should also avoid strenuous physical activity outdoors.
