Beijing to be hit by new round of smog: Forecast

BEIJING: After a brief respite, Chinese capital Beijing and its surrounding areas are expected to be shrouded by a new round of hazardous smog, days after a cold front blew away the worst air pollution of the year.

"Pollutant discharge and unfavourable weather" will cause the smog, expected to last until Wednesday, the Ministry of Environmental Protection predicted in a circular.

The dominant pollutant will be PM2.5, particles with a diametre smaller than 2.5 micrometres, said the ministry.

It has issued an emergency notice to local governments in the region, urging them to be alert to smog and provide warnings to the public.

The smog which just dissipated prompted the Beijing municipal government to issue its first orange alert, the second-highest level, which means construction sites must stop dust-raising activities and the elderly and the children should stay indoors.

The notorious air pollution suffered by Beijing and its surrounding areas is caused in large part by vehicle exhaust emissions and coal burning in heavy industries and municipal heating in winter.