Power plants scale back operations as smog envelops northern Taiwan

Taipei, March 25 (CNA) Power plants across Taiwan temporarily scaled back operations Tuesday after air pollution in the north of the country reached unhealthy levels.

"Red warnings" -- indicating air that is unhealthy for all groups -- were triggered at monitoring stations in Taipei, New Taipei, Keelung and Taoyuan in the afternoon, according to the Ministry of Environment (MOENV).

To mitigate the effects of the pollution, the ministry said it had coordinated with Taiwan Power Co. (Taipower) to implement load reduction and emissions controls at power plants in Keelung, Yunlin County, Taichung and Kaohsiung.

The total reduced power generation amounted to 132.52 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) as of 6 p.m., the MOENV said.

The ministry attributed the conditions to southeasterly to southerly winds trapping pollutants in downwind areas, particularly in northern and central Taiwan.

In addition, photochemical reactions triggered by sunlight in the afternoon increased ozone concentrations, the ministry added.

Looking ahead, the ministry said southerly to southwesterly winds from Tuesday to Thursday will continue to trap pollutants in northern Taiwan, with ozone levels rising in the afternoon due to photochemical effects.

A cold front and strengthening northeastern winds from Friday to Sunday are expected to shift air pollution southward, leading to potential pollutant accumulation in central and southern Taiwan.

The ministry advised residents -- especially children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory conditions -- to remain indoors where possible, minimize strenuous outdoor activities, and wear masks if they need to go outside.