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The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) and the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) have been monitoring whether the sand and dust from the latest sandstorm in northern China would adversely impact the air quality in Hong Kong, a spokesman for the EPD said today (April 26).
Northern China has experienced an outbreak of sandstorm in the last few days. In view of the forecasted northeast monsoon, the inter-departmental team will keep track of the movement of the dust plume and the meteorological conditions along the path, and assess its impact on Hong Kong.
According to the HKO, the expected track of the dust plume suggests that the chance of it adversely affecting Hong Kong tomorrow (April 27) is slim. So far, no weather observation stations in the southern part of China (south of latitude 30o North) have reported sand or dust. The air quality monitoring network of Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta Region has so far showed no sign of the approach of dust and sand.
The EPD and HKO will closely monitor the situation and update the public of their assessment if necessary.
Ends/Monday, April 26, 2010
Issued at HKT 21:58
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