C China wrapped by heavy fog

Changsha (CNS) -- Seventy-nine counties in central China's Hunan Province have been shrouded in heavy fog since Tuesday morning, causing 35 flight delays and shutdowns of several sections of the highway system.

The provincial meteorological office issued a yellow alarm about the fog, the highest level of its kind, at 6 on Tuesday morning.

Low visibility gave rise to traffic congestion across the region. In the capital city Changsha, several traffic jams were reported owing to slight collisions, and one auto even crashed into a safety barrier.

By 8:30 a.m., 35 flights were grounded at Changsha Huanghua Airport, 16 departures and 19 arrivals.

Around the same time, the provincial highway authority enforced traffic control at the toll stations on many a highway section within the region.

Circa 10 that morning, the dense fog gradually dissipated. The provincial meteorological office warns that light fog will still be lingering on Wednesday, but should leave the region on Thursday.