Pollution, heat as Doksuri nears

Air pollution in several parts of Hong Kong reached "serious" levels yesterday as super typhoon Doksuri nears, officials said.

With Doksuri approaching, the Environmental Protection Department said the weather was extremely hot with light winds, which are unfavorable for pollutant dispersion. It was leading to the formation of ozone and a buildup of fine particulates in the Pearl River Delta region, it said.

"Under the influence of the outer subsiding air of tropical cyclone Doksuri, air dispersion conditions in the region worsened," the department said yesterday morning, leading to an increase in pollution levels.

The health risk from air pollution yesterday was recorded as "very high" with Tseung Kwan O and Eastern district recording a "serious" health risk - the highest level.

The department forecasts a moderate health risk from pollution this morning, and a moderate to high risk for the afternoon.

Under a high health risk alert, the department advised children, the elderly and people with existing heart or respiratory illnesses "to reduce outdoor physical exertion, and reduce the time of their stay outdoors, especially in areas with heavy traffic."

Other than air pollution, Doksuri also caused flooding, landslides and power cuts in the northern Philippines, affecting more than 180,000 people.

Nearly 16,000 people have been evacuated in the northern Philippine province of Cagayan.

By 8.40pm yesterday, the Standby signal No 1 was hoisted by the Hong Kong Observatory.

Doksuri is expected to move across the northeastern part of the South China Sea, gradually moving toward the coastal areas of eastern Guangdong and southern Fujian today and tomorrow.

The weather was extremely hot yesterday, with general temperatures of over 35 degrees Celsius and a high of 38.4 degrees in Sheung Shui. The "very hot weather" warning has been issued for over a week since last Thursday.

Very hot weather will persist today, with showers and squally thunderstorms possibly triggered by high temperatures, according to the observatory. Temperatures today will be between 28 to 35 degrees in urban areas and a couple of degrees higher in the New Territories, with isolated showers and thunderstorms.

Occasional showers are expected for the whole of next week.