Massive Sandstorm Hits Northwest China, Leaves Towns Enveloped In Darkness
China's northwest region was covered in thick brown dust as heavy winds swept through the Haixi Mongol and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Qinghai province last week.
China's northwest region was covered in thick brown dust as heavy winds swept through the Haixi Mongol and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Qinghai province last week.
A video showed a fast-moving storm rising ominously before moving into populated areas, enveloping buildings and cars and blocking the sun. In some towns of Qinghai province, visibility dropped to less than 200 metres, South China Morning Post reported.
Screengrab/YouTube
Massive sandstorm engulfs Northwest China
Some parts of the Qinghai province are typically dry. In fact, the northwestern section of the Qinghai province is considered a desert, according to AccuWeather. Forecasters say it's likely that sand from these dry or desert areas was lofted into the air as thunderstorms developed in the western part of China at midweek.
The sandstorm lasted for almost four hours, as per CNN.
No casualties were reported as part of the sandstorm, Chinese state media reported.
The storm was documented by residents and tourists on social media.
A strong sandstorm covered the Qinghai province in China.
¡ª KurdSat English (@KurdsatEnglish) July 22, 2022
Reportedly it is the largest such event in the last 20 years.#China #Climate #Weather #KurdSatEnglish pic.twitter.com/x90XsKZBv2
Yesterday Like somesomething out of an #apololypticfilm #sandstorm in #China was off the charts plunged towns into darkness and lasted 4 hours with barely any visability. #Surreal #mothernature is not happy folks.https://t.co/ERE0NvdDpU pic.twitter.com/PkXZQdZA6n
¡ª airika333 (@airikakaye777) July 23, 2022
Much like the northwest, China's capital city of Beijing is prone to sandstorms due to its proximity to the massive Gobi desert as well as deforestation and soil erosion throughout northern China.
Beijing has planted a ¡°great green wall¡± of trees to trap incoming dust, and has also tried to create air corridors that channel the wind and allow sand and other pollutants to pass through more quickly.
Beijing and surrounding regions have been suffering from high levels of pollution in recent years.
Skies turn orange as sandstorm hits Iraq
Earlier in May, a sandstorm engulfed Iraq, turning skies orange and hospitalising hundreds, while flights at Baghdad Airport have also been suspended.
The 'apocalyptical' weather conditions closed some state schools and offices. It was the eighth dust storm since mid-April to hit the country.
Dust storm hits Iraq's Baghdad.
¡ª AFP Photo (@AFPphoto) May 16, 2022
? @SabahAfp #AFP pic.twitter.com/O1BuR5BqKf
Yellow and orange sand had covered building roofs and cars, and even crept into homes.
At least 4,000 people were admitted to the hospital needing treatment for respiratory difficulties.
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