A 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 this 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.
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 tomorrow 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.
The picture shows that a passer-by covers his mouth as a dust storm strikes Beijing, turning the sky an amber colour and reducing visibility to 500 meters, on March 20, 2002.
(Xinhua News Agency March 20, 2002)
