Sandstorms hit north China

BEIJING, April 1 (Xinhua) -- Sandstorms hit north China during the weekend, blanketing many cities in floating dust.

Sandstorm intensified in the Tarim Basin of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, closing the airport of Kashghar at 6 p.m. Sunday. A flight from Urumqi to Kashghar was cancelled.

Visibility in Kashghar was lowered to less than 2,000 meters and traveling vehicles had to have their lights on.

In Tianjin, the number of people on streets dwindled as sand reduced the visibility in the city to about 1,000 meters. Parking cars were coated by yellow dust.

But the harsh weather didn't seem to put as much strain on Tianjin's traffic. Ten highways passing through the city were functioning well and no flight were reported cancelled or delayed at the Binhai International Airport.

Xi'an, capital city of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, saw the strongest sandstorm since the beginning of this year. Temperature dropped from about 28 Celsius degree to 16.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-04/01/content_5921523.htm