China: Yellow alert issued for sandstorms and strong winds in the north of the country
China's National Meteorological Center issued a high-level warning on Saturday for a wave of strong winds and sandstorms expected to hit large areas of northern China. The center raised its alert level, issuing a yellow alert for strong winds and sandstorms and a blue alert for an accompanying cold snap, urging local authorities and citizens to take all necessary precautions.
The center stated that the areas directly affected include the provinces of Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia, Gansu, Ningxia, Qinghai, and Shaanxi, as well as large parts of northern and northeastern China and the Shandong Peninsula. A Level IV emergency response has been activated, signifying full coordination among government departments to ensure the safety of citizens and protect infrastructure.
Historical context of the “Yellow Dragon” phenomenon
Sandstorms are a frequent weather phenomenon in northern China, especially during the spring and winter months, when winds originating in Siberia sweep across the vast Gobi Desert, which stretches between China and Mongolia. These storms are sometimes known locally as "Yellow Dragons" because of their ability to blanket entire cities in thick dust that blocks out sunlight and turns the sky orange. To combat this phenomenon and the effects of desertification, China has been making concerted efforts for decades, most notably the "Great Green Wall" project (Northern Triangle Shelter Forest Program), which aims to plant millions of trees to create a green belt that will curb sand encroachment and soil erosion.
Expected impacts locally and regionally
The effects of these storms extend to multiple aspects of daily life. Locally, they cause a sharp decrease in visibility, leading to significant disruptions to air and land transportation, and potentially resulting in the closure of some highways and the cancellation or delay of hundreds of flights. The storms also pose a significant health risk, as the concentration of fine particulate matter (PM10) in the air rises, negatively impacting the respiratory system. The elderly, children, and those with respiratory conditions are advised to stay indoors and keep their windows tightly closed. Regionally, these storms know no borders, as dust can travel long distances, affecting air quality in neighboring countries such as South Korea and Japan, making it a transboundary environmental issue requiring international cooperation.
