Visibility In Northern China 50 Meters; Ships Can't Dock, Highways Closed

[hatrack]

The Chinese capital issued its highest red fog alert for a second day on Wednesday, keeping highways closed in and around the city which is already under a smog alert after weeks of choking winter pollution. China's weather bureau warned of visibility of less than 50 meters in some areas, leading many airports to cancel flights.

More than 2,000 tourists were stranded on a cruise ship for two extra days near the port of Tianjin, as smog prevented the ship from docking until Monday, the Beijing Evening News reported.

Poor visibility prompted three major northern ports to suspend the loading of ships on Tuesday, maritime safety agencies said.

Pollution alerts are common in northern China, especially during bitterly cold winters when energy demand, much of it met by coal, soars. Beijing's smog alert is at the second-highest orange only, raising questions from some living in the city.

EDIT

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-pollution-idUSKBN14O0AK

[pscot]

1. Shut up and dance