Beijing has been experiencing hazardous pollution levels this winter.
Beijing saw one of its worst ever New Year days today as heavy pollution engulfed China's capital with concentration of hazardous particles 20 times higher than acceptable levels, casting a smoggy pall of gloom on the festive spirit.
The big spurt in the pollution in the city and surrounding areas was attributed to factories ramping up production ahead of Chinese spring festival holidays starting later this month.
The city which is otherwise decorated with New Year lighting and bunting presented a desolate look with much of its skyscrapers were engulfed by thick smog.
Reading the of PM 2.5 microscopic particles harmful to human health at the US embassy here exceeded 500, the most hazardous 25 timers higher than the levels specified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for a 24-hour exposure.
City officials came under criticism by the netizens for not declaring red alert to initiate measures to control the pollution.
An orange alert was declared Beijing with few other cities kept under red alerts for heavy smog.
PM2.5 readings in many areas of Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei Province exceeded 200 Friday afternoon.
In Shijiazhuang, Hebei provincial capital, the index exceeded 400, meaning serious pollution.
China has a four-tier warning system for severe weather, with red being the most serious, followed by orange, yellow and blue. Beijing started its orange alert, the second-highest level, on Friday.
A red alert would have prompted imposition of odd-even car restrictions on roads and emission cuts for factories besides halting construction work but it would have impeded manufacturing and construction ahead of the spring festival holidays during which millions of migrant labour would return to their villages to spend time with their families.
The pollution returned to Beijing after a week-long red alert due to heavy smog over Beijing and 23 other cities last week leading to imposition of odd-even number system to regulate vehicles and closure of schools.
The new round of pollution is expected to last until January 5.
Tianjin began an orange alert on Thursday night, banning heavy diesel trucks from roads and cutting 30 per cent of pollutant emissions of key factories.
Eight cities, including Shijiazhuang in Hebei, activated red alerts, the highest level response, on Thursday night, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.
Seven cities in Henan, including provincial capital Zhengzhou, began a red alert on Friday while Zhengzhou suspended school classes.
The smog also hit Shandong Province, where Jinan, Dezhou and Liaocheng cities were put on red alert on Friday night.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)