Ajit Karn
Beijing: Dust also blanketed other parts of the country in a sickly orange atmosphere, as a massive sandstorm pummelling the Chinese capital on Wednesday and caused air pollution to spike.
Beijing’s official air quality index reached 500, signifying “severe pollution,” while some unofficial readings were nearly double that number.
As visibility declined to less than one kilometre in some areas of the city on Wednesday morning, authorities issued weather warnings and advised residents to limit their outdoor activities.
In parts of the north and northwest of China, intense winds and dust transformed the sky a vivid shade of orange, reducing visibility to less than a few hundred metres in some areas.
Authorities stated that PM10 airborne particulates, which are small enough to be inhaled and can exacerbate a variety of respiratory and other health issues, were predominantly responsible for the pollution.
China’s meteorological service issued a 24-hour yellow warning for pollution in the north and northwest on Wednesday at 8 a.m. (0000 GMT).
People in afflicted areas should “do a good job of protecting against wind and sand and close doors and windows promptly,” the weather service advised, adding that they should also wear masks while outside.
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Children, the elderly, and those with respiratory allergies or other conditions should “limit their time spent outdoors,” according to the service.
Dust cyclones are fairly common in northern China during the spring, when wind shifts stir up sand across the predominantly arid region.
According to the weather service, the current weather system is “the most extensive of the year so far,” and it is expected to diminish by Thursday.
