Thick smog in China forced airlines to cancel flights, as heavy-polluting factories in Beijing were temporarily shut down to ease the pollution.

Street lamps and outlines of buildings were barely visible in the Chinese capital, as pedestrians donned face masks to guard against the smoke. The government advised residents to stay indoors as much as possible because the pollution was “severe”.

The flight cancellations prevented the passengers from flying during the first week of the country’s busiest period of travel, due to the Chinese New Year on February 10. Many passengers were left waiting at the airport, as information was scarce.

GLOSSARY

smog – neblina misturada com poluição, nevoeiro com fumaça

In “Street lamps and outlines of buildings were barely visible …”, it means that they were