Sandstorm attacks northwest China

Yesterday, a serious sandstorm swept across northwest China, paralyzing public traffic and forcing many schools to close.

>>> Video: Sandstorm attacks northwest China

Sandstorms have attacked the Xinjiang autonomous region and Gansu province. Foresight has fallen below 500m in some areas due to sandstorms.

People in Xinjiang must wear masks to avoid inhaling dust.

According to the National Meteorological Center (NMC), this is the first sandstorm to occur in China this year.

Sandstorm caused the sky to become blind.

From 7 am to 2 pm yesterday local time, a sandstorm accompanied by a strong blowing wind happened in Xinjiang Ruoqiang District. Here, the foresight narrowed to less than 100m.

The local meteorological department issued an orange sand warning.

This is the first sandstorm in China this year.

Temperatures in Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang province, yesterday dropped to nearly 11 degrees Celsius due to cold air and strong winds.

The sharp decrease in vision made the traffic chaotic. The local education department has requested temporary closure of kindergartens and primary schools.

Sand storms seriously affect traffic.

Strong winds also disrupted 24 trains on two railway lines in Xinjiang.

NMC predicts strong winds will move east in the next 2 days, bringing sand to east of Xinjiang, as well as some areas in Gansu, Qinghai and Inner Mongolia provinces.