Sandstorms hit Hexi Corridor of Northwest China's Gansu Province Thursday, with visibility in some areas reduced to less than 100 meters, as reported by People's Daily Online.

According to local residents, strong winds blew down roadside billboards and street guardrails with cars moving slowly because of low visibility. Lanzhou Central Meteorological Observatory announced yellow and blue warning signals for sandstorms and wind.

This is the strongest sandstorm to hit in nine years in Gansu Province with a red warning first issued, said Zhang Tiejun, engineer of the meteorological bureau. Provincial government updates weather forecast on its official website everyday, besides reminding citizens to fend for dust weather.

The Central Meteorological Station forecasts windy and a 4-8 centigrade cooling weather in the days ahead in North China as sandstorms will continue in the northwestern region.