Some regions of Inner Mongolia and Ningxia Hui autonomous regions, and Qinghai Province even reported sandstorms.

The dusty wind, which subsided in north and west China Monday morning, will continue to affect the south China area, according to the Chinese Central Meteorological Station.

Meteorologists estimated that China would see worse dusty weather this year than that in the previous years, due to higher temperatures and drought in north China, which is considered one of the dust sources.

They said that the dusty weather occurred earlier this year than usual. It has affected a larger area in the country and will continue frequently throughout the year, they warned.

Last year's first sandstorm hit north China in March, but an unexpected floating dust storm paid a visit to several provinces and autonomous regions at the beginning of this year.

So far, a dozen provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions in western, northern and even some parts of central China have been struck by windstorms and floating sand several times.

Another round of windy, dusty weather is expected to arrive in China around March 11, according to meteorologists.

They said this type of weather is mainly caused by the frequent movement of strong winds over Inner Mongolia and the dryness brought on by rising temperatures in the spring, making surface soil easily blown away.

(Xinhua 03/07/2001)