Airpocalypse Returns to Beijing as City Experiences Heavy Smog

ThatsShanghai 2019-06-23

By Ryan Gandolfo

Beijing issued a yellow smog alert on Wednesday in light of major pollution taking hold of the city.

The capital and the surrounding region were engulfed in thick haze with exorbitantly high levels of PM2.5 (the super tiny air pollutant) filling the air as residents bombarded social media platforms with pictures of the polluted concrete jungle.

Take a look for yourself…

Images via @浪味没有仙儿/Weibo

Images via Morgan Bradley

Image via @张睿Ray/Weibo

Image via @偶然Daemo/Weibo

Image via @口腔专家陈/Weibo

Screengrab via Weibo

Image via @中国气象数据网/Weibo

Image via Caroline Yan

Yesterday’s air quality index (AQI) in Beijing reached up to 300, with PM2.5 levels measured at 344, according to Global Times. The Ministry of Ecology and Environment attributed the high level of smog to poor weather conditions, expecting the thick haze to dissipate by Friday thanks to an upcoming cold front (can’t catch a break, Beijingers!).

The pollution levels in Beijing were still higher than multiple cities in California, which have been ravaged by forest fires in recent weeks, according to Bloomberg.

Some city residents were quick to note that while the past two days have been smoggy, previous years were considerably more polluted. Jake, a 4-year Beijing veteran, told That’s, “even with the last few days being a little bit bad, it’s still much, much improved from 2014.” He also noted that it’s still early on in the winter, which is when smog levels begin to spike.

Meanwhile, other residents have struggled with the recent haze invasion. “The smog in Beijing these days has stopped me from going outside. I have to cook at home even though I haven’t touched anything in my kitchen for a long time,” says Stephanie Cheng, a teacher living in the city.

One netizen uploaded this video on Wednesday with the caption “the haze in Beijing makes the city look like a fairyland.”:

https://v.qq.com/txp/iframe/player.html?width=500&height=375&auto=0&vid=p0792unomiz

[Cover image via @仲夏夜里的萤火虫/Weibo]

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