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Worst Sandstorms Over for the Year

The worst of the sandstorms are over for the year, but a few more are likely to hit southern parts of northwest China.

As for Beijing, a city in the shadow of northern China s frequent sandstorms, the worst period has gone with the spring, Zhang Guocai, director of the China Meteorological Administration s (CMAs) Department of Disaster Reduction and Prediction, said on May 20 in Beijing.

So far this year, China has experienced 17 drifting or flowing sand weather systems, including one strong sandstorm, five average storms and 11 drifting or flowing sand phenomena. The March 26 to 30 sandstorm was the worst this spring. It delayed more than 1,200 flights, including 130 at the Beijing Capital International Airport, with 20 others forced to land at airports in Tianjin, Zhengzhou, Taiyuan and Dalian.

Reviews on the frequency, features, intensity and impact of the sandstorms reported that sandstorms occurred more this year than in the same period in 2003.