Thick Cloud Brings Mid-day Darkness to North China

Thick Cloud Brings Mid-day Darkness to North China

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Shijiazhuang, capital of north China's Hebei province, was shrouded in darkness for about 10 minutes around mid-day Monday when a thick black cloud passed over the area.

The darkness, mixed with drizzling rain, fell over the city at 11:30 a.m. and visibility on roads was limited.

Many shops and street vendors were seen stopping their business and street lights were lit.

Hu Xin, head of the Hebei Provincial Meteorological Station, blamed the dark on a heavy cloud that almost completely blocked sunlight until about 11:40 a.m.