China maintained a yellow alert for smog on Saturday as high pollution levels in the north showed signs of abating.
On Saturday morning, PM 2. 5 density in most parts of Beijing ranged between 260 and 400 mg per cubic metre, far above the safety standard set by the World Health Organisation, according a statement on the National Meteorological Centre (NMC) website.
Regions, including Hebei, Shandong, Henan and Shaanxi provinces, will also be shrouded by heavy smog before a cold front gradually disperses the pollution, Xinhua news agency reported.
Heavy rains will continue in the south.
China has a four - tier warning system for severe weather, with red being the most serious, followed by orange, yellow and blue.