Strong sandstorm hits northern China
( 2002-03-20 14:21 ) (8 )

A passer-by covers his mouth as dust storm strikes Beijing, turning the sky an amber colour and reducing visibility to 500 meters on March 20, 2002. The sandstorm was expected to last through Thursday and blanket a swathe from northwest China's Gansu Province to the eastern seaboard. [newsphoto.com.cn]

The strongest and most intensive sandstorm of this spring has hit the north China region from west to east since March 19, according to the forecast released from the China Central Meteorological Station Wednesday morning.

Experts said that affected by Mongolia cyclone, from Tuesday to Wednesday's afternoon, sandstorm covered most areas of northwest China and the northern and western areas of north China, including Beijing, together with five to seven degree strong wind.

The sand comes from the loess plateaux and desert regions of northwestern China, mainly in Inner Mongolia, while the storms are triggered by sudden temperature changes in spring time.

Affected by the sandstorm, in some areas in provinces of Gansu, and Ningxia and Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, the visibility distance has dropped to less than 500 meters, even less than 50 meters in some areas.

Experts predicted that Thursday the sandstorm will weaken but still blow in most areas of the northern China.

In addition, the sandstorm has seriously affected the land and air transportation in the regions.

Flights at Beijing's International Airport were unaffected Wednesday, an official at the flight control department said.

The Chinese government has pledged 56.8 billion yuan (6.8 billion dollars) to curb desertification and lessen sandstorms between 2002 and 2008. Beijing alone is due to spend some one billion yuan this year.