Massive sandstorm engulfs China's Xinjiang

A severe sandstorm has cloaked Hami City of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, forcing some residents to stay indoors to protect themselves from dense dust.

On the early morning of February 17, the clear sky was obscured by sand and dust, and Hami was engulfed in a haze.

The China Meteorological Administration (CMA) continued to issue blue warnings for strong winds and sandstorms on Sunday. The cold wave that is sweeping over large swathes of China will not only lead to significant drops in temperature, but also bring rain, snow, strong winds and dust.

The CMA has also elevated the cold wave warning to orange, the highest alert level. It is expected that  on February 18-22, most parts of China will experience severe temperature drops.

The sandstorm damaged vehicles and left many travelers stranded on highways in Turpan, Xinjiang. Firefighters and police officers came to their rescue, and evacuated them to safety.

In meteorological terms, a dust storm is rather simple. Strong winds move loose dust from exposed soil. If the particles are fairly large, they are typically formed of sand, and the phenomenon is known as a sandstorm.

When powerful winds strike bare or dry land, they create tempests that carry vast amounts of sand and dust into the skies. Once airborne, sand and dust are transported hundreds or even thousands of kilometers.

Human activities such as deforestation, overgrazing, and excessive water use are driving deserts to spread and increase the likelihood of sand and dust storms. Climate change, which is causing droughts and extreme temperatures, is exacerbating these issues.

Sandstorms occur frequently in spring. According to a forecaster at Beijing Meteorological Service, winds blowing over deserts carry the particles up and then transport them east and south.

The forecaster said the main causes of sandy and dusty weather are the combination of little precipitation, high temperature and windy weather in spring. It is more likely for dusty weather to occur if vegetation has not yet turned green, which leads to the soil surface to be exposed to wind. 

Sandstorms can have catastrophic effects on business and agriculture. It can also cause a variety of respiratory illnesses in people.

People are advised to stay indoors, especially youngsters and the elderly. Additionally, residents are encouraged to wear masks and face shields outdoors.