Beijing shrouded by heavy fog

Source: CCTV.com | 12-12-2006 14:52

A heavy blanket of fog has shrouded Beijing for much of the past two days. Highways were closed temporarily, but most traffic is back to normal. Other parts of northern China are also experiencing foggy weather.

Many city dwellers in Beijing did not drive to work because of the foggy conditions. Traffic was managed by the additional police who were mobilized.

Traffic in the center of Beijing this morning was smooth, with an accident rate two per cent lower than the same time last week.

Taxi driver, said, "The traffic is not bad this morning. Many people do not drive, and the road condition is good."

But the heavy fog forced five city highways to close temporarily. As the weather cleared, some highways reopened. Weather experts forecast that the fog may disappear late Tuesday.

There's also been heavy fog in the neighboring city of Tianjin. All of its ten highways are closed. Local traffic authorities sent over one hundred patrol cars to manage the traffic. Flights in and out of Tianjin airport have been cancelled.

In north China's Hebei Province, local meteorological authorities issued heavy fog alerts three times on Monday. Eight of its highways are closed today.

Editor:Du Xiaodan