Sandstorm Rakes Beijing, Prompting Level Five Air Pollution Alert - As In "Don't Go Outside"

[hatrack]

BEIJING -- Air pollution in Beijing reached its highest level on Tuesday as a sandstorm from the north shrouded the capital in dust, choking pedestrians and delaying flights, the government and reports said. Air pollution measured between levels four and five at monitoring stations throughout the capital, according to the Beijing Environmental Protection Bureau's Web site. Level five represents the worst air quality under the bureau's monitoring system and automatically triggers warnings for people to stay indoors and refrain from outdoor activities.

"Preparations must be made to guard against the sandstorms, close doors and windows, wear face masks and carry tissue to avoid dust from injuring the eyes and respiratory tract," the meteorological bureau said on its Web site.

The storms were originating in Hebei province, which surrounds Beijing, and the Inner Mongolian region to the north of the capital and would shroud the capital throughout the day before dissipating later Tuesday, it said.

State radio said numerous flights at the Beijing Capital International Airport were delayed Tuesday morning because of the sandstorm.

EDIT

http://www.chinapost.com.tw/china/local%20news/beijing/2008/03/19/147845/Beijing-shrouded.htm

[HereSince1628]

1. Looks like that "Great Green Wall" isn't working...

to stop the dust. Back in 2005 I toured the new windbreaks that Beijing was planting around itself. Hundreds of thousands of fast growing trees.

They looked like they'd be perfect screens to hide the poverty along the highways from the airport into the city. I have the feeling that part is probably working well.