BEIJING, July 31: Beijing’s pollution levels are at their lowest since authorities took measures to address athletes’ concerns about air quality ahead of the Olympic Games, and officials on Thursday outlined additional plans if skies don’t clear up further.

A cooling wind and some rain helped sweep away pollutants and gave Beijingers a respite from the sultry heat and humidity that had cloaked the city for days.

The skies over the Olympic host city have been one of the biggest worries for Olympics organisers. The concerns prompted Beijing officials to institute drastic measures earlier this month, included pulling half the city’s 3.3 million vehicles off the roads, halting construction and closing some factories in the capital and surrounding provinces.

The measures are having the desired effect, Du Shaozhong, deputy director of Beijing’s Environmental Protection Bureau, told The Associated Press in an interview.

“The daily data since July 20 shows an improvement in air quality. It reflects the results since we restricted traffic and stopped heavy-polluting factories and construction,” he said. “That’s why we say the measures have been effective.”

Athletes participating in the Aug 8-24 games have raised concerns about the impact of the city’s pollution on their health and their performance from the start. Some of the 10,500 Olympic athletes began arriving in large numbers this week — though others headed to train in neighbouring South Korea, Japan and other places to avoid Beijing’s air for as long as possible.

A World Bank study found China is home to 16 of the 20 worst cities for air quality. Three-quarters of the water flowing through urban areas is unsuitable for drinking or fishing.

Some experts argue that weather, not the curbs, are largely to thank for the cleaner air.A public notice posted on Thursday on the government’s website said once the games begin, additional contingency measures will kick in if authorities decide the air quality had not improved enough.

The emergency measures include shutting more than 200 additional factories and further restricting vehicles across Beijing, Tianjin city and surrounding Hebei province.

In addition, construction work at sites across Beijing would be halted. “If there are unfavourable weather conditions, and the air quality is forecast to not to meet the standards in the following 48 hours, the operating commanding centre would suggest that the contingency plans be initiated,” the notice said.

The air pollution index dropped to 44 on Wednesday, less than half of what it was a day earlier, and the lowest since July 20 when the measures were implemented.—AP