Severe health warning for young and old as serious levels of air pollution chokes Hong Kong
Bad air said to be caused by passage of tropical cyclone Megi, which is disrupting air traffic between Hong Kong and Taiwan
There was something in the air on Monday as parts of the city saw a return to “serious” levels of air pollution, particularly to the west, with the haze expected to remain until Wednesday.
The Environmental Protection Department said the condition was caused by a nearby tropical cyclone which created favourable conditions for the formation of air pollutants.
The department warned the pollution levels would remain high on Tuesday but said cloudier weather and a few showers on Wednesday may see it ease.
At 4pm on Monday, the air quality health index in Yuen Long and Tuen Mun soared to 10+, the most severe warning on the scale, meaning a “serious” health risk.
During a serious health risk, children, the elderly and people suffering from heart or respiratory illnesses are advised to stay indoors as much as possible.
Tung Chung, also to the west of the city, recorded an index of 10, bearing a “very high” health risk.