Local residents walk against huge sandstorms in Hami, northwest China's Xinjiang Autonomous Region Thursday, March 8, 2007. Affected by a cold front, the city was hit by a heavy sandstorm Thursday, with a visibility of less than 50 meters and a sharp drop in the temperature.

The city of Hami, northwest China's Xinjiang Autonomous Region, is clouded in heavy sandstorms Thursday, March 8, 2007. A cold front closed on the city Thursday, with a visibility of less than 50 meters and a sharp drop in the temperature.

The city of Hami, northwest China's Xinjiang Autonomous Region, is clouded in heavy sandstorms Thursday, March 8, 2007. A cold front closed on the city Thursday, with a visibility of less than 50 meters and a sharp drop in the temperature.

Local residents walk against heavy sandstorms in Hami, northwest China's Xinjiang Autonomous Region Thursday, March 8, 2007. Affected by a cold front, the city was hit by a heavy sandstorm Thursday, with a visibility of less than 50 meters and a sharp drop in the temperature.

Local residents walk against heavy sandstorms in Hami, northwest China's Xinjiang Autonomous Region Thursday, March 8, 2007. Affected by a cold front, the city was hit by a heavy sandstorm Thursday, with a visibility of less than 50 meters and a sharp drop in the temperature.

(Xinhua News Agency March 9, 2007)