Sandstorms hit north China during the weekend, blanketing many cities in floating dust.

 

Sandstorm intensified in the Tarim Basin of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, closing the airport of Kashghar at 6 p.m. Sunday. A flight from Urumqi to Kashghar was cancelled.

 

Visibility in Kashghar was lowered to less than 2,000 meters and traveling vehicles had to have their lights on.

 

 

In Tianjin, the number of people on streets dwindled as sand reduced the visibility in the city to about 1,000 meters. Parking cars were coated by yellow dust.

 

But the harsh weather didn't seem to put as much strain on Tianjin's traffic. Ten highways passing through the city were functioning well and no flight were reported cancelled or delayed at the Binhai International Airport.

 

Xi'an, capital city of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, saw the strongest sandstorm since the beginning of this year. Temperature dropped from about 28 Celsius degree to 16.

 

Sandstorm also hit Gansu, Inner Mongolia, Liaoning and Shandong.

 

Local meteorological bureaus predicted that the sandstorm in Xianjiang will last till Tuesday, while that in Tianjin will abate on Monday.

 

In Beijing, a warning of strong wind was issued Sunday afternoon. A force five wind would sweep the city on Monday, and the temperature would drop to about 5 Celsius degrees.

 

Eleven to 15 sandstorms are forecast in northern and northwestern China this spring, according to a previous forecast by the China Meteorological Administration.

 

Experts ask people to take precautions, such as wearing a scarf when they go outside, and avoid outdoor activities.

 

(Xinhua News Agency April 2, 2007)