The wind lifted a cloud of ash at the Turceni Power Plant / The dust reached the road and the vicinity of homes

A cloud of ash and slag formed in the area of the Turceni Thermal Power Plant, Gorj County, after strong gusts stirred up dust from the plant’s storage facilities. The ash was carried over distances of tens of kilometers, reaching near homes and onto the road between Turceni and Filiași.

The problems began during the morning, when the wind intensified. The air became difficult to breathe in the storage area, while visibility on the road was temporarily reduced. Drivers traveled at reduced speeds to avoid the risks caused by dust lifted by the gusts.

Representatives of Oltenia Energy Complex, quoted by TVR Info, stated that the storage-sprinkling systems had been turned on early in the morning and were operating continuously. Firefighters were also mobilized for the intervention, but operations were hampered by the intensity of the wind.

The company says that the gusts continue to lift ash and slag, while the sprinkling systems are unable to completely limit the phenomenon. Similar episodes have occurred in the area before, and the Environmental Guard has previously imposed sanctions following pollution incidents.