Number of smog–affected days in China doubled this year, the most since 1961

The number of smog-affected days in cities across China doubled this year, breaking a record that stood since 1961, the authorities in Beijing said on Friday as the capital issued its third severe air pollution alert of the week.

The China Meteorological Administration revealed cities across the nation have observed an average of 4.7 smog-affected days so far this year, nearly twice the 2.4 days previously recorded, the said on Saturday.

Speaking during a news conference, the administration said a total of 13 provinces and cities – including the northeastern provinces of Heilongjiang and Liaoning – had broken historical records.

As the week ends, the dense smog that is a hazard to health emerged again in Beijing and the surrounding Hebei province, prompting the local government to issue a blue smog alert, its highest, for the third time in six days.

Air quality on Saturday morning in all 12 regions of central Beijing reached level five, meaning “heavy pollution”, under a six-point scale according to the city’s Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau’s official website.

The bureau’s emergency headquarters warned air quality would be unlikely to improve before Sunday morning.