SHANGHAI, Feb 15 (SMM) – China's biggest steelmaking province of Hebei will issue the second-most severe pollution alert effective from Saturday February 16 as heavy smog is expected across the central-southern and eastern areas of the province, Hebei’s environmental authorities said on Friday February 15.

Major areas such as Xiong'an new district, Tangshan, Langfang, and Shijiazhuang will be affected. Smog is unlikely to clear up till February 22, SMM learned.