Cities Engulfed as Severe Sandstorms hit Northwestern China

Northwestern China was hit by sandstorms sweeping from west to east starting Nov. 25.

This photo taken on November 25, 2018 shows a sandstorm rolling into Zhangye in China's northwestern Gansu province. A northwest Chinese city was engulfed by a massive sandstorm that sparked rural fires, forced traffic to slow down and prompted residents to cover their faces, according to state media. AFP/Getty Images

The Hexi Corridor or Gansu Corridor, a long, narrow passage stretching for some 1,000 kilometers (about 600 miles) in northwestern China, was hit by sandstorms sweeping from west to east. On the evening of Nov. 26, Jiuquan, Jiayuguan, Zhangye, Wuwei and other cities issued yellow warnings for sandstorms.

The air quality index in many major cities reached more than twice of the threshold set for monitoring air pollution. Air pollution in one city exceeded the limit by three times.