Monday, 21 October 2013

Smog in China's northeast prompts major shutdown

It's like a scene from the apocalypse.

Black silhouettes wandering in a dark, grey abyss.

Only this is China where dense smog blanketed parts of the northeast Monday, forcing schools and roads to shut down.

Chinese state media shows residents wearing face masks in Harbin City in the Heilongjiang Province.

That city's air quality is more than three times the hazardous level, making it difficult to breathe.

The country's smog is also making it difficult to drive.

Trucks in the Liaoning Province came to a standstill as traffic was delayed on 10 expressways.

Earlier this month China said it would give rewards to the region for curbing air pollution, underscoring government concern about one source of public anger.