Heavy sandstorm blows through Dunhuang

The sandstorm cut a swath through Lanzhou, capital of Northwest China’s Gansu province, on April 23, with Dunhuang city taking the brunt of it, gscn.com.cn reported. Subei Mongolia autonomous county and Mazongshan town also witnessed strong sandstorm conditions. 

The Lanzhou meteorological observatory issued a yellow alert against gale and an orange alert against sandstorm. Strong winds have already begun in Dunhuang and Mazongshan. Five-to-six-class northwest wind is expected to arrive in six cities west of Yellow River within 24 hours, with a 7-to-8-class gust. Jiuquan, Jiayuguan and Zhangye cities might suffer sandstorms. 

At 3:00 pm on Wednesday, Jiayuguan meteorological observatory issued an orange alert against sandstorm. The downtown area as well as Yuquan, Wenshu and Xincheng towns will see a strong sandstorm within the next six hours, along with 6-to-7-class northwest winds. Zhangye meteorological observatory issued an orange alert against sandstorm. Affected by severe cold air from Xinjiang, the city will expect 6-to-7-class northwest winds, coupled with a sandstorm at night. 

On April 23, Dunhuang witnessed a sandstorm, with visibility of 20 meters and extreme wind speed of 18.5 meters per second at 2:00 pm. It became dark, and some primary schools and kindergartens suspended classes. Jiuquan meteorological observatory issued a red alert against sandstorm. The strong sandstorm brought visibility to less than 50 meters in Dunhuang, and spread across the whole city from west to east during the night.

A sandstorm arrives in Yumen city of Northwest China's Gansu province on April 23. [Photo/gscn.com.cn]

A sandstorm arrives in Yumen city of Northwest China's Gansu province on April 23. [Photo/gscn.com.cn]

Edited by Nelly Min and Le Qin