Fierce Sandstorm Lashes Inner Mongolia

A powerful sandstorm swept over much of north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region from west to east Wednesday, but no casualties have been reported yet, Xinhua News Agency reported.

Meteorological workers say other parts of north and northeast China might also be affected by this phenomena to varying degrees in the coming days.

According to satellite images at the Inner Mongolia Weather Bureau, the sandstorm hit vast areas of the region ranging from Alexa League in the northwest through to Chifeng City, Tongliao City, Hinggan League and Xilin Gol League in the east.

The intensity of sand particles in the air was so high that visibility was zero-zero today in much of the Xilin Gol League.

Caused by a strong cold air current, the sandstorm moved at a speed of up to 22 meters per second, or 79.2 km per hour.

Temperatures in much of the region dropped by eight to 10 degrees Centigrade, with snowstorms in some parts of the region's northeast.

The meteorological bureau called on farmers and herdsmen to prepare for further sandstorms and take steps to minimize possible damage.

Much of the region is still under the influence of strong breezes or moderate gales, and the temperature is still falling, the bureau said.

An official from the Inner Mongolia Meteorological Center for Farm and Animal Husbandry said the sandstorm, which originated in Alxa League, in the northwest of the region, came about half a month earlier than usual.

Because of the shortage of vegetation in the region, higher temperatures in early spring make the sandy soil so dry that it can be easily swept away by strong winds, resulting in sandstorms that can reach as far as Beijing in the south.

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