China On “Red Alert” After Smog Engulfs Entire Cities And Stops Flights

Hazardous levels of smog have blanketed parts of northern China; cities have been forced to shut down schools and factories, and even cancel flights.

Greenpeace says it’s the worst air pollution episode of the year, with more than 200 million citizens across six provinces experiencing hazardous levels of smog.

Despite efforts to combat air pollution, the Chinese environment ministry has warned that factories are now enforcing emergency restrictions, Reuters reports.

As many as 24 cities had issued pollution “red alerts” by Tuesday; despite this, smog concentrations had increased in some areas.

The heaviest hit were industrial provinces. Air quality readings of PM2.5 fine particulate matter increased beyond 1000 micrograms per cubic metre on Monday night; that means it's more than 100 times levels the World Health Organisation’s recommended annual average.

According to the Ministry of Environmental Protection, eight cities had shown Air Quality Index readings that were “beyond index” or above official maximum reading levels of 500. Steel-making cities, Handan and Anyang were among those listed cities.

Greenpeace climate and energy campaigner Dong Liansai said, “The scale of red alert measures show that the Chinese government is taking air pollution seriously.”

“However, the ongoing ‘airpocalypse’ is further evidence that China must implement far stricter limitations on coal consumption and accelerate the restructuring of the economy away from the heavily polluting sectors.”

According to forecasts, the pollution will gradually subside with the expected arrival of northerly winds on Thursday.

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