Yellow dust engulfs South Korea, residents asked to stay inside

SOUTH KOREA (TND) — South Korea's Environment Ministry issued a "yellow dust risk advisory" Tuesday after winds from the Gobi Desert and Inner Mongolia brought dust that blanketed the entire country.

The advisory was issued for all 17 cities and provinces in South Korea. It has four levels, with the first level issued on Tuesday afternoon. However, on Wednesday morning, the level was raised as the concentration of fine dust particles measuring 10 micrometers or smaller stayed above 300 micrograms for more than two hours.

The Environment Ministry has set up an emergency response team to coordinate with local authorities to take the necessary measures to address the situation.

Meanwhile, the ministry is advising households to keep their windows closed, and elderly individuals are being asked to avoid going outside.

This is not the first time that South Korea has faced an advisory like this. The country has faced these advisories for the past few years due to dust that is blown over from China's deserts.

The fine dust particles can cause respiratory problems, eye irritation and other health issues. The government has taken measures to address the issue, such as deploying air purifiers and promoting the use of masks.