Northern authorities in China are issuing urgent alerts to thousands of people to stay in their homes as the country braces for a storm of powerful dust storms and huge-scale winds that are sweeping across different regions.
The China Meteorological Administration (CMA) issued yellow and orange alerts – the second and third most severe within its four-tier system across cities that include Beijing, Tianjin, and parts of Inner Mongolia, citing risks of decreased awareness, health risks and disruptions to transport.
As per forecasts gusts of wind could be as high as 90 km/h (56 miles per hour) and are accompanied by dense dust clouds which could seriously influence the air quality. In some regions, visibility is predicted to drop lower than 1,000 meters, leading to road closures as well as the cancellation of certain flights.
Schools in the affected areas have been closed to outdoor activities while emergency service personnel are at alert. Beijing’s environmental bureau has implemented its plan for emergency responses which advises residents to wear protective masks and avoid unnecessary travel.
“This is one of the strongest wind systems we’ve seen this spring,” said Zhao Zhiqiang, a senior meteorologist at CMA. “It is important for the public to take precautions, especially vulnerable populations such as the elderly, children, and those with respiratory conditions.”
The dust storms have become a regular issue in northern China and are particularly prevalent in the spring season, when dry conditions and desert winds meet. But recent years have witnessed an increase in the frequency and intensity, which has prompted new concerns about the environmental impact of desertification in the region.
Local authorities have been tasked with ensuring the stability of billboards scaffolding and other structures outside to protect against injuries. Agriculture areas are also being monitored for damage from wind to crops as well as topsoil erosion.
While the system continues to move towards the east, officials continue to be on the lookout for developments and additional advisories anticipated in the next few days.
Leave a Reply