FILE - In this March 18, 2016, file photo, cars slow on heavy traffic in Mexico City. City officials have issued their sixth pollution alert of the year Tuesday, May 24, 2016, and ordered more cars off the road to reduce emissions. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte, File)
Republished May 24, 2016 - 7:23 PM
Original Publication Date May 24, 2016 - 2:30 PM
Mexico City officials issued their sixth pollution alert of the year Tuesday, but lifted it a few hours later after thunderstorms reduced pollution in the skies above the capital.
Such alerts automatically double from 20 per cent to 40 per cent the proportion of vehicles not allowed to circulate on a weekday. Normally one-fifth of the vehicles in the city and surrounding suburbs must stay at home each weekday, determined by license plate numbers.
The latest alert was declared Tuesday afternoon after ozone levels rose above 150 per cent of acceptable limits. It also restricted activity at some gas stations and factories and banned the burning of solid or liquid materials.
Authorities suspended the alert around 9 p.m. following the rains.
Mexico City issued its first pollution alert in over a decade in March and continued high levels of contaminants have brought five more alerts. The pollution spike is due to seasonal weather patterns and the increasing number of cars in the city.
News from © The Associated Press, 2016