Loja-Cuenca
An unusual fog was seen on the morning and afternoon of this Wednesday, February 2, in Loja and part of the Azuay area. The inhabitants of Loja were surprised by the presence of what seemed like a mist that settled on the Loja basin.
The ECU-911 received several calls through which citizens asked about this phenomenon; Some of these calls reported controlled burning of crop areas in some hills bordering the southeast sector.
The dense fog was more noticeable after noon.
Rains cause damage to several homes in Loja
As citizens commented when they saw the sky, it was due to a change in season, “that is, it will stop raining and the heat would approach,” they said.
And it is that from the previous week until Tuesday night the rains have been frequent, although the weather is variable in this part of the country.
The mist prevented seeing the sun until the afternoon of this Wednesday.
People traveling from the Vilcabamba and Malacatos valleys to the provincial capital also reported the presence of mist in the Rumishitana sector, that is, about 10 kilometers from Loja.
This situation was also perceived in Cuenca. Citizens reported an atmospheric mist during the morning. That could be seen from various points in the historic center of the Azuaya capital. The situation could be seen for several hours.
The phenomenon also occurred in Azogues, capital of the province of Cañar.
The National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology (Inamhi) explained that the transport of particulate material from the coast of Peru affects several cantons in the south of the country “due to the intensification of the wind, from the south, at levels close to the earth’s surface. ”.
The meteorological entity explained that this phenomenon could decrease “air quality and visibility” in several sectors and could be repeated in the following days in the southern provinces of the country.
Previously, the Institute of Sectional Regime Studies of Ecuador (IERSE), attached to the vice-rectorate for research of the University of Azuay and the local Municipality, indicated that the air quality in Cuenca was reported as unhealthy.
Cuenca’s air has high values of fine particles.
As detailed by the Municipal Secretary for Risk Management, Tatiana Pineda, the situation is due to a weather phenomenon called “thermal inversion.” This means that the air changed its natural path, she said.
The assertion that this event could be due to a potential fall of ash from the Sangay volcano was ruled out, the official assured, because the direction of the wind is to the east, that is, in the direction of the Morona Santiago province. where the mountain is.
This statement was ratified in report 2022-033 of the Geophysical Institute of the National Polytechnic School, which states that the volcanic material is over 1,500 meters above the level of the crater in an east and southeast direction.
Until 4:45 p.m. on Wednesday the 2nd, the monitoring system report maintained that the air quality was unhealthy, so it was recommended that children, the elderly and people with respiratory diseases limit their exposure to the open air. .
For this reason, the Municipality of Azogues sent a statement recommending avoiding going out into open spaces, reinforcing the use of the mask, protecting the eyes and wearing long-sleeved shirts or sweatshirts.
As for the weather forecast presented by the National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology (Inamhi), a cloudy climate is announced for Cuenca, varying to partial cloudy with rains and drizzles. While for Cañar a cloudy storm with scattered rains is expected.
In Loja the presence of isolated rains with partial cloudy to cloudy sky is estimated. (I)
Source: Eluniverso
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