A widely shared video on Chinese social media shows a massive 50-meter-tall (164-foot-tall) dust cloud as it swallows the city of Golmud in Qinghai Province.
Apocalyptic sandstorm sweeps across northwest China pic.twitter.com/VmQNLsuUwT
ā CGTN (@CGTNOfficial) July 26, 2018
The sandstorm, affected by a trail of cold air at ground level, occurred on July 25Ā and was accompanied by gale-force winds of up to 20.7 meters per second (67.9 feet per second), according to theĀ Daily Mail.
Golmud police issued warningsĀ through loudspeakers to remind people to drive safely.
They also flashed emergency lights to help drivers and told them to drive at a maximum speed of 25 miles per hour as visibility in the city was reduced to under 600 meters (1,968 feet) and under 100 meters (328 feet) in the suburbs, China Central Television reported.
The massive sandstorm came days after the city and regions around Tuotuo River were ravaged by heavy rainfall.
Golmud meteorological authority issued thunderstorm alerts before the thick cloud of dust appeared and suggested residents stay indoors.
Government officials have yet to report any casualties during the strong sandstorm.
Images via Twitter / CGTNOfficial
