Sandstorms hit Northwest China

BEIJING - Sandstorms will continue to sweep most parts of Northwest China on Wednesday, the National Meteorological Center forecast.

The affected areas will include parts of southern Xinjiang, western Inner Mongolia, western Gansu, central and northern Ningxia and northern Shaanxi.

From Tuesday, a cold front has caused sandstorms in Northwest China, especially parts of Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia, the center said in a statement on its website.

Sandstorms can cause health problems and may trigger or worsen illnesses like coughs and allergies, the statement warned.

The cold front will bring low- to medium-strength rain to northern Xinjiang in the coming three days.

Sandstorms descend on Shche county, Kashgar city in Xinjiang Uygurautonomous regionon April 16, 2013. Sandstorms swept the southern parts of Xinjiangon Tuesday, leaving a visibility of less than 100 meters, and the highest wind speed reached a force nine.[Photo/Xinhua]