China: Xinjiang Hit by Sandstorm

A sandstorm, first of its kind this spring, began shrouding many parts of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Tuesday afternoon due to a cold wave.

Shache County in Kashgar was hit by sandstorms Tuesday. The sky turned yellow and vehicles turned on emergency lights. Pedestrians covered their mouths and noses with scarfs while trudging against the strong winds.

Hetian area in southern Xinjiang was also hit by sandstorms and the visibility was reduced. The meteorological department forecast that strong winds in some cities and counties would continue till Thursday. The Central Meteorological Station Center of China also forecast sandstorms and dusty weather in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region and Gansu Province on Wednesday.