The sky is covered by smog in Ba Dinh District, Hanoi, December 15, 2021. Photo: Q.The / Tuoi Tre
A thick layer of smog covered the sky of Hanoi on Wednesday morning, while air quality measured at multiple stations in the capital was at a ‘very unhealthy’ level.
The smog appeared in the inner city in the morning and lingered until noon.
Many commuters had to turn on their headlights while traveling on local streets, while high-rise buildings were barely visible from afar, according to the observation of Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper reporters.
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| Smog envelops Hanoi’s inner city on December 15, 2021. Photo: Q.The / Tuoi Tre |
Statistics of the Hanoi Air Quality Monitoring Network at 12:00 pm indicated very bad air quality at several locations in the city.
At Thanh Cong Park in Ba Dinh District, the air quality index (AQI) was measured at 210.
Meanwhile, the reading at Kim Lien Kindergarten in Dong Da District was 215.
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| Residents exercise by Hanoi’s West Lake, December 15, 2021. Photo: Q.The / Tuoi Tre |
An AQI of 151-200 is classified as ‘unhealthy,’ while an AQI between 201 and 300 is ‘very unhealthy.’
A reading of over 300 is considered ‘hazardous.’
The Hanoi Air Quality Monitoring Network warned that the air quality in Hanoi on Wednesday could adversely affect the health of local residents.
People were advised to limit outdoor activities and put on a face mask when going out.