Powerful sandstorms have struck eastern China

A surge of gusty winds caused sandstorms in various parts of Eastern China, on Wednesday night.

Winds in Beijing began to increase around 4 p.m. local time. Wind speeds reached a maximum of 80 km/h around 18:00. The wind was lifting yp the sand, causing a sandstorm throughout the city. Visibility has dropped to 4.8 km at Beijing airport.

There were reports of several fires in the evening near the airbase in Tianjin. The fire was spread by the wind that the sandstorm brought.