A sweeping sandstorm blanketed several cities in northwestern China’s Gansu Province on Saturday, shrouding the region in a thick haze of yellow dust. The cities of Jiuquan, Zhangye, Jinchang, and Wuwei were among those most affected, as billowing clouds of sand engulfed streets and skylines.
In response to the deteriorating air quality and visibility, China’s national observatory renewed a yellow alert for sandstorms across parts of Gansu Province. The alert system ranks orange as the most severe warning, followed by yellow and blue, signaling residents to exercise caution amid the adverse weather conditions.
The Gansu Public Security Government Service Platform reported that as of 11 a.m. on April 13, sandy and dusty weather prevailed in areas of Jiuquan and Zhangye, with cloudy conditions in other regions. Due to the reduced visibility, temporary traffic controls were implemented at toll station entrances along the G30 Lianhuo Expressway from Laosimiao to Linze. By 1 p.m., traffic conditions had improved, allowing authorities to lift the controls.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
