Beijing: Bracing for 2015's worst smog in the next four days, the Chinese capital has initiated a host of measures, including issuing its second-ever red alert that came into effect today, to tackle the new bout of air pollution in the city of over 22 million population.
Besides the red alert for Beijing city, China's weather observatory has issued a yellow alert for smog in the country's north as the conditions are expected to linger until Wednesday.
Beijing began the day with PM 2.5 levels, the smallest and deadliest form of airborne particulate matter, around 100 and it is expected to touch 500 during the weekend, which will be very hazardous as it would be several times more than the normal levels prescribed by the World Health Organisation.
The red alert - from 7AM on Saturday to 12 PM on Tuesday - is the most serious level and to tackle it there will be a limit on vehicles on roads according to odd-even license plate numbers.
Beijing, Tianjin and neighbouring provinces of Hebei, Henan, Shanxi and Shandong, as well as northeast China will face moderate smog, with south Beijing, central Hebei, north Henan and west Shandong to experience heavy smog, the National Meteorological Centre (NMC) said.
The smog is forecast to start easing or dispersing from Wednesday in north China, the NMC said. China has a four-tier colour-coded weather warning system with red representing the most severe weather, followed by orange, yellow and blue.
The public has been warned to take protective measures when engaging in outdoor activities and those that suffer from respiratory diseases have been advised to stay indoors. The red alert warrants all schools to be closed, traffic regulated with odd and even licence number plates and all construction halted.
The regulations also bans fireworks and outdoor barbecue using coal. The air pollution will be worse than the spell between December 6 and 9, the NMC forecast said.
Citizens are advised to reduce outdoor activities and kindergartens, primary and middle schools are expected to suspend classes during the alert.
Beijing issued its first ever red alert for air pollution on December 7 after the worst period of air pollution this year when PM 2.5 reached the top of the scale at 500.
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