China's smog-covered north on highest pollution; visibility reduces
On Tuesday, officials issued their most severe warnings for fog and haze as smog blanketed major cities in northern China, cautioning the public that visibility might plummet to under 50 meters.
According to a report from Reuters, the northern province of Hebei initiated an emergency response to combat pollution, outlining traffic safety measures for necessary situations, which include the suspension of flight takeoffs and landings, temporary closure of highways, and halting ferry services, such as conveyed by China's meteorological bureau in an official notice.
Authorities also advised road users to seek refuge in safe parking areas when conditions required and encouraged people to remain indoors.
Additionally, Beijing declared its intention to enforce traffic control measures if the capital triggers its highest air pollution alert.
Heavy smog has enshrouded the northern regions of the country for several days, coinciding with autumn temperatures soaring to levels typical of early summer, approaching 30 degrees Celsius in some areas.
Weak cold air currents from the North Pole are responsible for the unusual weather conditions in northern China.
Pollution control experts noted that increased industrial activities, heavy trucking, crop fires, and a 5% rise in regional power consumption have contributed to the haze in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei area and northern Henan province. Parts of Tianjin, Hebei, Shandong, and eastern Jiangsu provinces experienced heavy fog, reducing visibility to less than 1 kilometer.
Light to moderate haze will persist in central and southern northern China until Thursday, with severe haze expected in central areas. Relief is anticipated as cold air currents from the north are forecasted to arrive on Thursday night, potentially dissipating the haze.
