RSOE Emergency and Disaster Information Service

Situation Update No. 3

Posted:2010-03-20, 08:39:25 [UTC]

Ref.no.: ST-20100320-25381-CHN

Situation Update No. 3
On 2010-03-22 at 17:45:08 [UTC]

Event: Extreme Weather
Location: China Capital City Beijing

Sandstorms are sweeping through the Chinese capital Beijing on Monday, covering the city with dust. People are being told not to go outside- but if they have to they should wear masks and scarves to avoid breathing in the toxic dust. These storms happen every spring in China but scientists think they have been getting worse recently due to climate change. The effects of the storm have reached as far as Hong Kong in southern China. It is the second sandstorm to hit Beijing in three days.