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Sandstorm sweeps NW China region
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-03-12 21:33
URUMQI -- A rust-colored sandstorm hit over the southwestern part of Xinjiang
Uygur Autonomous Region, northwest China, on Sunday, reducing visibility to less
than 50 meters in affected areas.
Cars drive slowly
with headlights on in a city in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur
Autonomous Region March 12, 2006 amid a sandstorm which reduced the
visibility to about 50 meters. [Xinhua] | The
content of particulate matter in the air over Artux city reached 16 mg per cubic
meter of air at noon time, 222 times the normal standard, according to the
environment monitoring station of the Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture of Kizilsu.
This is the worst and the strangest sandstorm that has swept Artux since
1993, said Yusupjan, deputy head of the station. "It is like going into a flour
mill. It is hard to breathe when standing outside as the air is so smoky," the
official said.
A yellow sandstorm swept over Kashi city early Sunday
morning and the sky turned saffron yellow later. Local residents had to wear
masks and vehicles snailed along the street in the heavy smog. The local
meteorological station estimated that Kashi's temperature dropped by five to 8
degrees Celsius by 1:00 p.m. on Sunday.
A strong cold front began
affecting Xinjiang on Saturday, causing sandstorms and gale force winds in parts
of the westernmost region of China.
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