Beijing has experienced five days of dust-floating weather in the past five days and the pollution was the worst in the past six years, according to Beijing Environmental Protection Bureau on Tuesday.

The dust and sand floating in Beijing left the capital with two days with grade five pollution, the highest level in pollution rating, and three days with grade three pollution, a middle level pollution.

Beijing reported 53 blue sky days by Tuesday so far this year, 16 days less than the same period last year. The days with pollution rated at grade four and five topped 13 days, far more than the total four days last year and also the worst in six years.

Patients suffering from respiratory illnesses increased. About 200 to 300 patients visited Beijing Armed Police General Hospital and Bo'ai Hospital every day in the past five days, about 30 to 40 percent up from the average level, according to Beijing Evening News.

The low visibility affected the city's traffic. Beijing Bus Group added 200 more buses to reduce citizens' waiting time. The city's construction department also took measures on operation at the construction sites to reduce floating dust. Meteorologists advised citizens to avoid outdoor activities and take protective measures when staying outdoors.

The dusty and sandy weather will be relieved Tuesday night, according to the forecast from Beijing observatory.

(Xinhua News Agency April 12, 2006)