Environment

Sandstorm in Beijing.

Beijing and other parts of northern China were stung by hazardous air pollution levels Thursday as strong winds blew a sandstorm through the region.

Air in the capital turned a yellowish hue as sand from China's arid northwest blew in, turning the sky into a noxious soup of smog and dust.

Beijing's municipal government issued a yellow-haze warning late Wednesday while state media urged citizens to stay indoors or to take precautions such as donning face masks before venturing outside.

Storms and Floods

Typhoon Vicente drenches southern China.

Chinese authorities have come under fire for allegedly under-reporting the death toll in the recent severe floods in Beijing, China. Criticism has also been levelled for the spending of vast sums of money on development and modernisation of the city rather than on proper planning for storms and flood infrastructure.

 

 

Storms and Floods

Tornado hits near Smeaton, Saskatchewan, Canada.

Death toll in Beijing floods rises to 37. Residents angry at lack of flood preparation and response by authorities.

 

Floods

Neck deep floods hit parts of metro Manila in the Philippines as tropical storm Ferdie passes through. At least 2 people die with 6 more missing.

Beijing, China is hit by massive flooding, the worst floods in 61 years after unusually heavy downpours. 20 people are reported to have died and 50 000 have been evacuated.

Heavy thunderstorms bring flash flooding to Pittsburgh, USA.