Beijing skies turn orange as sandstorm and pollution send readings off the scale

International

15-03-2021, 19:30

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INA – SOURCES
Capital of China suffers ‘hazardous’ levels of air pollution with authorities issuing second-highest safety alert.
A massive sandstorm has combined with already high air pollution to turn the skies in Beijing an eerie orange, and send some air quality measurements off the charts.
Air quality indexes recorded a “hazardous” 999 rating on Monday as commuters travelled to work through the thick, dark air across China’s capital and further west.
Chinese meteorological authorities issued its second highest alert level shortly before 7.30am, staying in place until midday. A broader warning for sand and dust blowing in from the western desert regions was put in effect until Tuesday morning.