The China Meteorological Center on Wednesday renewed a yellow alert for what various media outlets describe as the “worst” sandstorms of the year in several areas of northern and northeastern China.
| Fountain: AFP
Floating sand and dust are expected to affect some areas in Xinjiang, Qinghai, Gansu, Ningxia, Inner Mongolia, Shaanxi, Shanxi, Hebei, Beijing, Tianjin, Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, Shandong, Henan, Jiangsu, Anhui and Hubei. This was reported today by the state news agency Xinhua.
| Fountain: AFP
The official air quality index for the Chinese capital was 500, the highest level on record, synonymous with “serious pollution”. Anecdotal evidence suggests twice the level of pollution.
| Fountain: AFP
In addition, the meteorological phenomenon also affected the country of Mongolia, neighboring with the Asian giant, where one person died from severe snowstorms and sandstorms, and two more were missing.
| Fountain: AFP
According to authorities, this pollution is caused mainly by so-called PM10 mini-particles (less than 10 micrometers in diameter), which can be inhaled and exacerbate respiratory illnesses.
| Fountain: AFP
Residents of the affected areas should “protect themselves well from wind and sand and close doors and windows,” the meteorological services advised, who advised wearing a mask outside.
| Fountain: AFP
Sandstorms are common in northern China in the spring, when the wind blows dust off this relatively dry part of the country.
| Fountain: AFP
Source: RPP
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