LANZHOU, China (CCTV/CNN) - In Lanzhou, the capital of Gansu Province, NW China, the airborne dust reduced the visibility on Friday to less than three kilometers. The city was blanketed by a thick yellow dust. Along with the dust, the temperature dropped by eight degree Celsius in the city.
The temperature drop has made more residents, especially children, catch cold.
"The temperature has been fluctuating so violently that it, plus the dust, has made my son catch cold. The kid has weak immunity," said one father.
In Shanxi Province, the dust blown up by strong winds shrouded the provincial capital city Taiyuan on Thursday. The local meteorological department has issued a blue alert for strong gales and an additional yellow alert for sandstorm conditions.
Meanwhile, strong winds also brought dust and freezing temperatures to Alar City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
Visibility was less than 200 meters when the dust storm was at its strongest on Thursday. The adverse weather conditions had a great impact on the daily life of people living in the area. Many were seen wearing masks on the street.
Experts advised people to reduce outdoor activities for health concerns
CCTV/CNN