WITH smog levels rising to higher than normal levels, traffic authorities banned cars off the roads of the Czech capital, Prague. Only vital traffic like taxis, buses and motorists who live in central Prague are being allowed to ply. The emergency was declared after levels of nitrogen oxides reached nearly 1,000 mg per cu m, which was more than twice the normal standard. City authorities stated that the high smog level was due to polluted particles trapped in the air by the cold weather, a common winter occurrence.

Commuters are being urged to use public transport and drivers stuck in hour-long traffic jams were asked to switch off their engines. All main roads were blocked with access given only to delivery trucks, emergency vehicles and officially sanctioned cars.