Environmental protection experts are predicting that Beijing would be plagued by sandstorms again this spring.
According to a study conducted by the China Meteorological Administration, China has been suffering frequent sand and dust storms as a result of continuous droughts since 1999. The capital has been one of the worst affected areas.
A bit more rain last winter in Russia, Mongolia and northwest China, three major sources of the sandstorms, is not expected to ease the grave situation, Monday's edition of Beijing Youth Daily said, citing sources of the State Environmental Protection Administration.
The administration has promised accurate forecasts of the times, places, intensity and affected areas of this year's first sandstorm.
A monitoring network has been established and a four-day advance forecasting is expected.
The Chinese government would go on working to tackle the problem. The administration has suggested the establishment of four ecotypic barriers from Beijing municipality to Inner Mongolia.
(China Daily February 19, 2003)
