Han Ximin

SHENZHEN has seen 218 hazy days so far this year, a record for the city.

The number is 42 days more than the 176 hazy days recorded in 2004.

Sources with the Shenzhen Meteorological Observatory said visibility had been reduced to within one kilometers yesterday morning in some areas inside the special economic zone.

The smog was caused by a drop in temperature, increased humidity in the air and a light southerly wind that disturbed pollutants, according to Peng Yonggang with the observatory. Visibility increased to 2.5 kilometers yesterday afternoon.

The city will see cloudy weather until the weekend, with occasional showers.

In October and November, the city recorded an average of 27 hazy days a month, the highest ever for that period.

Experts say the haze was a result of drought, which has persisted in the city for months. The air pollution index has been lingering between 80 to 100 for most days in December.

Little rainfall and warm weather has caused severe drought in the city and other parts of the Pearl River Delta area. The observatory said it will artificially create rain when conditions are appropriate.