As of 4pm this afternoon, 27 monitoring stations across Taiwan had issued an orange rating for air quality, mostly concentrated in the central and southern regions, the Ministry of Environment (MOENV) Web site showed.
An orange warning indicates air quality that is “unhealthy for sensitive groups.”
None of the monitoring stations nationwide reported a “green” air quality rating, with all other stations recording yellow for “moderate” air quality.
Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Environment
The ministry advised those sensitive to pollution, such as the elderly, children and those with weaker immune systems, to reduce strenuous outdoor activities and wear masks for protection.
Northeasterly winds could carry pollutants to Taiwan and its outlying islands, particularly affecting southern regions such as Tainan, as well as Changhua, Taitung, Chiayi and Yunlin counties, which may experience dust and poor visibility, the MOENV said yesterday.
The degree of impact would depend on upstream pollutant build-up and rainfall, it said.
Central and southern regions lying downwind would be more prone to pollutant accumulation, it added.
Through Friday, prevailing winds from the northeast to east-northeast could potentially carry small amounts of pollutants from abroad, it said.
While winds are to switch eastward over the weekend and reduce the impact of external pollution, pollutants may accumulate in western Taiwan, it said.
As the northeast monsoon arrives on Monday next week, dispersion conditions on the windward side would be average, although central and southern regions may again see slight pollutant buildup, it added.
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