Recent Natural Disasters | Calamities | Hazards

The traffic in smog in Shijingshan District of Beijing, captial of China (Xinhua/Li Xin) Beijing's city government issued its first red alert for smog on Tuesday warning severe air pollution would affect the Chinese capital for several days. According to Xinhua News Agency , Beijing upgraded its alert for air pollution from orange to red, which will last from 7:00 a.m. Tuesday to 12:00 p.m. Thursday. According to the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, the air quality index stood at 250 Tuesday morning, classed as "very unhealthy" and 10 times higher than the World Health Organization's recommended levels, CNN reported. According to the city's emergency management headquarters, during a red alert, kindergartens, primary and high schools are advised to suspend classes, outdoor operations of construction sites are banned and some industrial plants are required to limit or stop production. According to the Beijing Municipal Environmental Monitoring Center

A smog advisory has been issued by Ontario Environment Canada and the Ontario Ministry of the Environment following the high amount of pollution in Ottawa. Smog advisory was issued for most of eastern Ontarion including Ottawa, CBC News reported. Forest fire smoke from Quebec decreased the air quality index. Environment Canada has also urged people not to use gas powered motors, aerosol sprays and solvents. State of emergency was declared after the air quality index in Malaysia reached 16-years-high in June 2013. Original post: Natural Disasters List July 2, 2013