Sandstorm hits Northern China

A severe sandstorm is plaguing northwest China. It has also arrived in Beijing, packing strong winds and tons of sand.

The sandstorm wreaked havoc Friday in the northwestern provinces of Gansu and Qinghai, as well as the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region and the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Sixteen million people and 960 thousand square kilometers are affected. People in Beijing also woke up to see clouds of dust in the air on Saturday morning. The loose soil and dust that's traveled hundreds of miles blanketed Beijing's streets, covering parked vehicles and making its way into apartment buildings.

Farmers work in the wind in Shatu Township in Heze City, east China's  Shandong Province, March 20,2010.A severe sandstorm that plagued  northwestern China in the past few weeks arrived in Beijing Friday  night and affected some other areas.  (Xinhua Photo)