Saturday, 7. September 2002

Topic: - on September 7, 2002 at 12:50:18 PM CEST

Rain-maker

The Russian Emergency Situations Ministry claimed credit for a light drizzle that cleared the air over the Russian capital Friday, giving residents a break from the thick, acrid smog that engulfed the city. "Yes, we did it," ministry spokesman Viktor Beltsov said proudly. Mr. Beltsov said an ionizer intended to draw rain clouds was switched on Thursday atop a ministry building in western Moscow — and that it did the job. Early Friday, a light drizzle freshened up the air, bringing long-sought relief after several rainless weeks. Wildfires in the countryside surrounding the capital have created intense smog.

¬> THE GLOBE

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