Strong winds clear toxic smoke from Moscow skies

Strong winds cleared the toxic smoke from raging wildfires that has choked Moscow for three weeks, though forecasters warn that the polluting clouds could return in 24 hours.

Smoke from the wildfires has sent pollution to the highest levels in decades, almost doubling mortality rates and disrupting flights, consumer activity and even affecting trading in Russian stocks and bonds.

A thunderstorm accompanied by strong winds cleared the skies of the toxic smoke early this morning.

More than half wildfires in the affected areas have ceased in the past 24 hours though 166,000 people were still fighting 660 fires.

Pollution levels in Moscow were back to safe levels, though forecasters warn that the smoke will come back as soon as there is windless weather.

Kremlin leaders are grappling with Russia’s most deadly wildfire since 1972 and drought which had destroyed crops after what officials say has been the hottest summer in a millennium.

The drought is expected to knock one per cent off GDP, weakening the recovery after the 2009 slump from the financial crisis.