Thick Yellow Sand Haze Envelopes S. Korea

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, March 18, 2002

Thick Yellow Sand Haze Envelopes S. Korea

Haze from yellow sand seen in most regions, including Seoul, on Sunday afternoon will continue on Monday, calling for an alert for eye and respiratory infections.

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Haze from yellow sand seen in most regions, including Seoul, on Sunday afternoon will continue on Monday, calling for an alert for eye and respiratory infections.

The yellow sand started to appear on Saturday in parts of Cheolwon, Sokcho and Baekryeong Island, and spread nationwide due to strong winds Sunday. It is the third occurrence in Seoul this year, after January 12 and 13.

The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) said that originating from the Gobi and Takla Makan deserts, a northwestern atmospheric current delivers the yellow sand to the Korean Peninsula, and continued hot and dry climate in the desert area in China and nationwide spring drought aggravates this, forecasting even more frequent occurrences of the phenomenon than the record set last year.

The yellow sand phenomenon occurred on average four to five days a year, concentrated in the spring season, but last year showed an unusual pattern with a total of 24 occurrences, including eleven days in March, setting a record since 1962 when observations started. A KMA official advises children and the elderly to minimize outdoor activity when the yellow sand appears, and to wash eyes and nose with clean water upon returning home.

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