A sandstorm sweeps across China, forcing airports to cancel hundreds of flights
A sandstorm, described as the strongest in a decade, swept across northern China on Monday.
The authorities in Beijing issued a yellow warning, and they also warned of severe vision difficulties.
Pollution in the Chinese capital reached "dangerous" levels, after strong winds brought sand from the northwest of the country.
This morning, the Chinese Meteorological Authority issued a yellow warning, indicating that about 12 provinces have already been affected or will be affected.
This makes the storm the strongest sandstorm in ten years, as well as the storm that covers the largest area.
According to Chinese media, Beijing airports had to cancel more than 400 flights.
Spring is the sandstorm season in northern China.
Strong winds carry sand and fine dust from the Gobi Desert and Mongolia to industrial areas that are often high in smog and densely populated.
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