China chokes as it hits its worst air pollution levels of this year so far

Air quality in China has hit its worst of this year, with airborne pollutants exceeding 100 times the safe limit in many regions.

On Monday, the government ordered heavy industries to shut down. And traffic has been disrupted in over 23 cities that have issued red alerts -- allowing cars to only drive on alternate days.

In Beijing, over 200 flights have been cancelled, and schools ordered shut.

The red alerts are expected to stay in place until Wednesday, as the country struggles with a thick layer of smog.

Greenpeace East Asia estimates about 460 million people have been affected by the air quality this year, leading to a rise in asthma and other respiratory conditions reported at hospitals.

epaselect epa05682041 Haze over the Forbidden City in Beijing, China, 19 December 2016. Serious air pollution hit in China's nine provinces and cities, with haze hanging over an area of about 1.42 million square kilometers on 18 December. The air pollution alert lasts in many part of China that the heavy pollution is expected to persist over 11 provinces and cities on 19 December 2016. EPA/WU HONG Credit: EPA

Shijiazhuang, capital of northern Hebei province, observed PM 2.5 levels hitting 1,000 micrograms per cubic meter on Monday -- the World Health Organization guideline is 10 micrograms.

On Tuesday, the Beijing's Air Quality Index reading was 395. The tracker further reveals that the AQI level had hit 494 in the last 48 hours.

Much like Northern India, severe air pollution is common in China. The air quality usually gets worse in winter as people tend to consume more electricity from coal-fired power plants.

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