Beijing shrouded in toxic weather
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2005-04-07 10:10

Thickening air pollution has shrouded Beijing in a nasty haze and locals have been advised to reduce their time outdoors.

According to the Beijing Meteorological Bureau, yesterday was the city's most polluted day this year. The air quality index was listed at five, the worst rating on a five-point scale, indicating that air quality was hazardous.

"The city has witnessed three consecutive days of harmful air. Visibility in most parts of the city has been only about one kilometer, in sharp contrast with previous days," it said.

The bureau said warm currents in the upper atmosphere, relatively cool currents in the lower atmosphere and a lack of wind combined to cause the toxic weather. "Dust raised by construction sites and vehicles and the spring drought have also contributed to the pollution," it said.

Remote sensing found similar haze in neighboring Hebei and Shanxi provinces.
"For their health's sake, people should stay indoors or try to reduce the time spent outdoors," the Beijing Environmental Protection Bureau warned.