Sandstorms swirling across Asia by Frances Runnalls
China, Japan and South Korea have been affected by the ‘yellow dust’ storms caused by sand from the Gobi desert being whipped away by high winds.
The annual spring storms, which originate in China’s Gobi desert before sweeping south to envelop the Korean peninsula and parts of Japan, are blamed for scores of deaths and billions of dollars of damage every year in South Korea. The weather agency issued the year’s first yellow dust warning at the weekend.
When the storm passes through industrial areas, it can pick up poisonous gases that are being pumped out by factories into the atmosphere. Weather authorities advise people to wash their hands frequently and drink more water, and to wear face masks and headscarves to protect themselves.
South Korea closed schools on Monday, as a choking pall of sand mixed with toxic dust from China covered most of the country and other parts of Asia.
The sandstorms have been increasing in frequency and toxicity in recent years, running from late February through to May and turning the skies to a jaundiced hue.
An official with the Meteorological Administration said this first major storm of the season is now dissipating, but forecasters suggest that further storms are likely later this week.
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