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This Monday, sandstorms hit across China covering cities in an unhealthy cloud of sand and grit with winds that carried the pollution even outside the mainland and reached as far as Hong Kong and Taiwan. Since Saturday, winds coming from the northwest have been whipping sand across the country. This affected Xinjiang in the far east all the way to Beijing in the country’s east. The sand and dust were brought to parts of southern China and even to cities in Taiwan, 1600 miles (2600 kilometers) away from Inner Mongolia where much of the pollution originated. The sandstorm in Taiwan, drove people to cover their faces to prevent inhaling the grit which can cause chest discomfort and respiratory problems even to healthy individuals. In justabout 10 minutes, cars were already covered in a layer of black soot. Services in the airport of islet Matsu was suspended Sunday, because of poor visibility due to sandstorm. In Hong Kong, 20 elderly needed medical assistance for shortness of breath, because of an increasing level of the pollution as confirmed by the environmental protection officials. The government ordered people to stay indoors and encourage schools to cancel sports events. Bridges and waterside pagodas on the eastern coast of Hangzhou were covered in a mix of sand and pollution. Residents and tourists in Beijing were wearing masks. The latest sandstorm is expected to hit South Korea on Tuesday, as confirmed by Kim Seung-bum of the Korea Meteorological Administration. The sandstorm that hit China had caused the worst “yellow dust” haze in South Korea. China’s Central Meteorological Station highly recommends people to close their doors and windows. Wearing of masks is strongly encouraged when going outside. People were advised to use salt water in cleaning their nose and swabs dipped in alcohol for removing grit from ears. The U.S. Embassy in Beijing released a warning that particulate matter in the air is “hazardous” because the air quality had upgraded to “very unhealthy” level. Duan Li, a spokeswoman for the Beijing Meteorological Station stated that the conditions in the city appeared to be more severe due to grits deposited on rooftops, sidewalks and tress caused by sandstorm on Saturday. The winds Monday brought in even more sand and added up to what was already there. The sandstorm was the latest sign of the effects of desertification. Overgrazing, deforestation, urban sprawl and drought have enlarged deserts in the country’s north and west. Sandstorms Whip Across China is a post from: Daily World Buzz Continue reading →