Sand blanketed around an eighth of
China between April 14 to 18 and it's estimated that around 330,000
tons of grit fell in Beijing on Sunday night alone.
The information was released at a press conference on sand storms
which was hosted by the China Meteorological Administration (CMA)
in Beijing on Tuesday.
This is the 10th sandstorm in northern China this year and the
eighth in Beijing, said Xiao Ziniu, deputy head of the Chinese
Central Meteorological Station under the CMA.
"Most of the sand in Beijing comes from Inner Mongolia and areas
abroad," Xiao explained.
Beijing reported 'Grade V' pollution which is the most serious
level of grading, according to the Beijing Municipal Environmental
Protection Department.
Beijing has reported four 'blue sky days' so far in April with a
target of having 230 clean air days annually. So far this year the
city has recorded 56 'blue sky days' which is 16 days fewer than in
the same period of last year.
Many residential communities in Beijing are clearing the
dust-covered roads with water rather than sweeping.
The pollution this year has been worse than the past two years,
Xiao said.
The sand storms this year could be attributed to high temperatures,
prolonged dry weather and frequent cold snaps, he added.
From March, the rainfall in northern China has been about 75
percent of the average figure in previous years and some regions
reported rainfall to be about 20 percent down on normal.
Cold air is normal in March and April in northern China and brings
gales and sand storms with it.
According to forecasts northern China will experience three further
such storms between April 18 and 27.
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(Xinhua News Agency April 19, 2006)