Equipment to monitor the origin and direction of sandstorms has been put into use in six cities and counties in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, according to the local Environmental Protection Bureau.

Statistics showed Mongolia has been one of the principal sources of sandstorms across the country in the past half century, especially since 1993. In 1999 alone over 60 sandstorms hit the region.

In order to monitor and control the sandstorms, 11 ground stations using advanced lidar technology have been established by the local environmental protection departments.

The lidar systems would be mainly used to observe and monitor the origin, direction and sedimentation of the sandstorms, to help the local authorities take measures, said Li Yawei, director of the Science and Technology Monitoring Office under the Environmental Protection Bureau.

This monitoring system was considered one of the most effective means to observe the space distribution of particulate matter in the air.

(Xinhua News Agency December 17, 2003)