The Chinese capital was blanketed by floating dust from Friday
night on. This year's first sandstorm should be cleared up in the
city till Saturday night, says the China Meteorological
Administration (CMA).
The floating dust was brought in by a cyclone developed in
Mongolia, which moved eastward through Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and Hebei Province into the city, Sun Jun, a CMA
senior engineer said.
The main body of the cyclone is expected to reach Beijing around
Saturday noon, but the strong wind should help drive the floating
dust away, according to Sun.
Floating dust is the mildest form of sandstorms, and Beijing
would not be much affected. Yet, people were still advised to take
precautions such as wearing a scarf when they go outside, and less
outdoor activities.
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According to the CMA forecast, sandstorms will hit most parts of
northern China in the next three days.
Sandstorms are expected in parts of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous
Region, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Gansu Province and Shaanxi
Province in northwest China, and some central north and northeast
areas.
The sand would be carried by strong winds that began on Friday,
said the CMA forecast.
Temperatures will drop by four to eight degrees Celsius in most
parts of northern China and by up to 12 degrees in some areas.
Eleven to 15 sandstorms are expected in northern and
northwestern China this spring, according to a previous CMA
forecast.
(Xinhua News Agency March 31, 2007)
