Inner Mongolia's northern regions are grappling with severe sandstorms, prompting the Chinese National Meteorological Center (NMC) to renew a yellow alert on Wednesday. The fierce winds and dust have compelled officials to advise residents to remain indoors, secure their windows, and avoid areas with billboards and trees.
The spate of sandstorms isn't limited to Inner Mongolia alone. The Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, along with other parts of northwestern, northern, and northeastern China, are also bracing for similar sandy and dusty conditions in the coming days, as forecasted by meteorological experts.
Zhang Bihui, director of the environmental meteorology office at the NMC, shed light on the factors contributing to these intensified sandstorms. He noted that temperatures in northern China, particularly in the sand source regions of southern Mongolia, have surged by 2 to 4 degrees Celsius compared to the same period last year, reaching highs above 18°C.
Moreover, decreased precipitation and a significant reduction in snow cover in these areas have left the surface barren, creating ideal conditions for sand and dust to become airborne. \"The rising temperature and less precipitation not only increase the potential for sandstorms but also diminish the natural barriers that prevent dust from being lifted into the atmosphere,\" Zhang explained.
This combination of climatic changes underscores the broader impacts of shifting weather patterns on vulnerable regions, highlighting the need for adaptive measures to safeguard communities and infrastructure.
Reference(s):
Sandstorms hit N China's Inner Mongolia, yellow alert issued
cgtn.com
