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Hundreds of fires continue to burn in several different regions of the country including around the capital. But here in Moscow, the dense smog has lifted for the first time in almost a week, being replaced by sunshine and then some rain. Welcome relief for the population which has been suffering from the very high levels of pollution.

But the heatwave continues and experts from two major banks say it's having a serious impact on the country's economy – in particular agricultural output.

Alexander Morosov, chief economist of HSBC in Moscow, says four billion dollars will be lost as a result of the government decision to stop exporting wheat. That decision was taken after it became clear that up to a third of this year's crop had died because of the lack of rain.

The extreme weather conditions and smog have also led to some factories closing down production lines temporarily.

This economic cost comes on top of the cost in human lives; more than fifty people have been killed in the fires, while in Moscow the number of people dying every day is now twice the normal rate due to the heat and toxic smog.

All this has led to much anger with the authorities, both local and federal, who have been accused of not being prepared for this kind of crisis and of doing too little too late.

Richard Galpin, ´óÏó´«Ã½ News, Moscow