Sandstorms and Severe Air Pollution Plague Beijing and Northern China

Beijing and several provinces in China will be affected by thick, dense sandstorms that will severely affect visibility, according to Chinese weather authorities. The Central Meteorological Observatory issued yellow warning signals for several provinces, including Beijing, which has experienced sand and dust storms over the past several days, causing pollution levels to drastically increase. The city faces regular sandstorms during March and April because of its proximity to the massive Gobi desert, as well as deforestation throughout northern China.