Strongest Sandstorm in Decade Affects Anhui

    From 5am Tuesday, northern cities in East China’s Anhui province started to be hit by a sand and dust storm said to be the worst one in a decade as a result of cold weather, according to the Department of Ecology and Environment of Anhui Province.

    The air quality index (AQI) in Bozhou, Huaibei and Suzhou cities soared as the concentration of PM10 per hour exceeded 1,000 microgrammes per cubic meters,  and Bengbu, Fuyang and Huainan cities were hit by moderate air pollution, as of 8am Tuesday.

    Weather experts announced the analysis of sand and dust weather this time: sands in the boundary between southern Mongolia and Midwest area in inner Mongol were raised by strong cyclone and moved towards back position with cold air at night on Sunday. The weather started to affect the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and Yangtze River Delta region from early in the morning on Monday to Tuesday.

    According to the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, sands are moving to southern areas now, and under northerly air control, the weather will impact on all cities in Anhui from north to south. Major pollution dominates air quality from Tuesday to Thursday, and the situation might be worsen in northern Huai River, Yangze River and Huai River region. There will be major pollution in the south of the Yangtze River. Quality of air will recover affected by easterly wind and rainfall after Thursday.

    The department has suggested the public not go to outdoors gatherings or participate in outdoors activities. It is important to close doors and windows and place stuff outside well in such a situation. Elderly people, children and patients suffering from anaphylactic disorders are supposed to refrain from going outdoors.

    In addition, the department has advised the public to wear masks if going out and wash the face and nose when coming back.