The Worst Yellow Dust Covering Beijing... Riding the North Wind to the Korean Peninsula

"Can't see ahead"... Over 400 flights canceled
Domestic air quality 'Bad' due to yellow dust inflow from China

Citizens in Beijing, China, are walking through streets covered with yellow dust on the morning of the 15th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-ju] On the 15th, Beijing, the capital of China, was engulfed by an extreme yellow dust storm. This yellow dust is highly likely to be carried by the north wind and flow into Korea by the early morning of the 16th.

This yellow dust was caused by a sandstorm originating from Mongolia, which is reported to be the largest in scale in 10 years.

◆Worst Yellow Dust in China in 10 Years... Impact of Sandstorm Originating from Mongolia

The yellow dust was so severe that the sky took on an orange hue. The strong yellow dust wind made it difficult to keep eyes open outdoors.

On social media, complaints such as "It looks like Mars" were posted.

With the strong yellow dust wind, there were not many people walking on the streets. Roads were blocked in many places, and school classes were suspended.

On the streets, citizens wore multiple layers including scarves over their masks, and some were even seen covering themselves with plastic sheets.

It was reported that even wearing masks, people experienced throat irritation and coughing.

◆China Issues Yellow Dust Warning... Over 400 Flights Canceled

On the 15th, the China Central Meteorological Observatory issued a yellow dust warning, stating that a massive yellow dust storm appeared in 12 northern provinces and municipalities including Beijing.

Due to the yellow dust and strong winds, over 400 flights were canceled in Beijing.

The Beijing Meteorological Observatory reported that visibility was less than 1 km in most areas due to yellow dust, and the concentration of particulate matter (PM10) in six districts of the city temporarily rose to 8,108 μg/m³.

In some parts of China, particulate matter reached up to 10,000 μg/m³, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exceeded 400 μg/m³, indicating a severe level. According to Korean standards, particulate matter above 150 μg/m³ and fine particulate matter above 76 μg/m³ are classified as 'very bad.'

According to the China Environmental Monitoring Center, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Beijing reached the maximum value of 500 at 8 a.m. on the 15th.

The worst pollution level, 'severe pollution,' corresponds to an AQI of 301?500, and even if air quality worsens, values above 500 are not displayed.

The sky over Beijing, China is covered yellow with yellow dust. [Image source=Yonhap News]

◆Yellow Dust Inflow on the 16th... Fine Dust 'Bad' Until the 17th

In Korea, on the 15th, fine particulate matter concentrations exceeded 100 μg/m³ in many areas nationwide, especially around the Seoul metropolitan area.

On the 16th (today), the yellow dust covering Beijing, China, is expected to flow into Korea riding the north wind.

According to Korea Environment Corporation's Air Korea, on the 15th, in the Seoul metropolitan area and Chungbuk where high concentration fine dust emergency reduction measures were implemented, fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations exceeded 100 μg/m³ by 11 a.m., surpassing the 'very bad' standard (76 μg/m³ and above).

From the early morning of the 16th, yellow dust will be added to domestic fine dust.

The Korea Meteorological Administration stated, "Very strong winds of 50?70 km/h are blowing near Inner Mongolia and the Gobi Desert in China, causing widespread yellow dust, with some areas experiencing very strong generation. As a low-pressure system moves, additional yellow dust is very likely to occur, and it is highly probable that the yellow dust will flow into our country riding the north wind from early morning or dawn on the 16th."

The cold wind blowing from the northwest will somewhat reduce the fine dust accumulated until the 15th, but soon after, it will bring in yellow dust, causing the air quality to remain 'bad.'

A Korea Meteorological Administration official said, "Yellow dust comes in quickly but dissipates slowly, and since it does not come once and stop but continues to flow in, the impact is expected to last until the 17th."

Although it rained slightly on the evening of the 15th, it is expected to have little effect on reducing fine dust or yellow dust concentrations.

The Korea Meteorological Administration forecasted light rain nationwide from the evening of the 15th starting from the coast of Jeonnam until the 16th. Jeju Island is expected to receive 10?40 mm of rain, and the Jeonnam region 5?10 mm, but most areas nationwide are expected to receive around 5 mm of rain.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.