Sandstorm hits Beijing

BEIJING - The worst sandstorm of the year hit Beijing Saturday morning after sweeping through other regions in north China, the municipal meteorological station said.

People drive amidst floating dust and sand storm on Jianwai Street in central Beijing April 30, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

Beijing's sky turned yellow early in the morning as the sandstorm reached the city from Inner Mongolia autonomous region. Statistics from Beijing's Environment Protection Bureau shows Saturday's air quality is among the worst in the year.

China's National Meteorological Center issued a sandstorm alert at 10 am. The sandstorm was formed in Mongolia and parts of Inner Mongolia.

Most parts of north China will have sandy weather from 2 pm Saturday to 8 am Sunday, according to the alert posted on www.weather.com.cn.

Statistics from the State Forestry Administration shows the sandstorm has swept through 10 provinces and regions in north and west China, affecting an area of 2.3 million square km with a population of 90 million people.

Beijing's sky will be clear again on Sunday, said Sun Jisong, a spokesman for the Beijing meteorological station.

Charts on www.weather.com.cn also shows that southern parts of Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region in west China is being shrouded by a separate sandstorm.

People wearing masks to protect themselves against floating dust and sand storm walk in Beijing's central business district, April 30, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]