On March 7, the Israeli Air Force carried out attacks on Iranian oil infrastructure, striking several oil storage facilities near a major oil refinery in southern Tehran. As a result, at least 30 tanks were damaged, leading to the formation of a huge chemical cloud.
Asel Raimkulova, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources, Ecology, and Technical Supervision, reported that the Hydrometeorological Service is closely monitoring the situation with the help of its observation stations.
She noted: "We have an automated station that allows for monitoring."
The press service of the Ministry of Natural Resources Kaktus.media clarified that monitoring atmospheric changes is part of the duties of Kyrgyzhydromet. However, the service itself responded that this issue does not pertain to them.
"Kyrgyzhydromet does not analyze the composition of precipitation. We only deal with weather forecasts, and this issue is not within our competence," the service commented.
Experts interviewed by the editorial team pointed out that it is premature to draw any conclusions at this time, as further study of the materials is required. Nevertheless, they consider it unlikely that acid clouds will reach our region.
The National Committee for Ecology of Uzbekistan also reported that information about acid clouds from Iran that could cause precipitation in Central Asia is not accurate. The agency added that acid rain forms from the prolonged accumulation of sulfur and nitrogen oxides in the atmosphere, which most often occurs near large industrial emission sources. As air moves over significant distances, the concentration of pollutants decreases, and the likelihood of dangerous precipitation forming thousands of kilometers from the source is minimal.
According to meteorological monitoring data and air quality observations, there is no recorded threat of acid clouds being transported to the territory of Uzbekistan and neighboring countries.
