Hazardous smog coats Beijing, as plan emerges for ‘wind tunnels’ to combat the problem

Six “urban wind passages” are to be created in Beijing to help cool the capital and disperse its notorious smog – which remains at hazardous levels this morning following a code yellow warning on Thursday.

City planners are hoping to create six passages to channel wind through four major areas – Beichen Road and Gulou Street, the Central Business District and the Shili and Hucheng river areas, The Beijing News reported.

The news comes as Thursday’s severe levels of smog continued into Friday morning, with pollution remaining at hazardous levels in Beijing and neighbouring Hebei.

In the Dongsi area of central Beijing, PM2.5 levels reached as high as 475 before falling to 254 at 10am. Even the lower reading is classified as “very unhealthy”.

The wind passages plan, which surfaced in July, involves funneling wind through the capital’s streets to disperse the smog.

By controlling the height and density of buildings planners hope to create channels through which wind will carry away pollutants and heat.