Yellow dust versus the Great Green Wall in China by Helen McKenzie
Heavy yellow dust storms have been wreaking havoc across parts of China and Korea over the last week, raising pollution levels higher than they have been in six years. It is estimated to be more than 13 times the level that is environmentally acceptable.
The reason for the dust and sand, is that two areas of high pressure have led to a block in the weather pattern. This has led to a brisk northerly wind blowing from the Gobi Desert for at least the last five days. It is the desert upwind that has brought a constant stream of sand across North China and Korea.
Dust storms of this kind are becoming increasingly frequent, due to the fact that every year, around 4500 sq km of Inner Mongolia and northwestern China are turning into desert. Measures taken since 2001 to halt the desertification include undertaking a forestry project to build a “Great Green Wall of China”, but so far, efforts are failing.
The dust has been causing widespread respiratory problems in Beijing, with hospital patient numbers up 30 to 40 percent over the five-day period. The pollution has also meant extra buses being put on routes, in order to cut waiting times.
Turpan saw the worst storm since 1984, with 36 train services stopped and 130 scheduled bus trips cancelled. However, some rain and snow overnight Tuesday into Wednesday has helped the situation, with much better conditions forecast over the coming week.
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