The Air Pollution Index exceeded 100 today at some general and roadside air quality monitoring stations, the Environmental Protection Department announced.
At 4pm, the index at Yuen Long, Kwun Tong and Tap Mun stood at 115, 107 and 104, while the index at the Causeway Bay and Central roadside stations was 134 and 129.
The department said the city is affected by a dry continental air stream with relatively high background pollution, and the light wind in the urban areas hinders the effective dispersion of the pollutants at street level, leading to higher than normal level of nitrogen dioxide.
The Hong Kong Observatory said the winter monsoon will continue to affect southern China in the next few days and the pollution situation will persist.
Click here to see the Air Pollution Index readings.
