Sandstorms hit N China

Beijing was on Thursday hit by its first sandstorm of the year while its air quality reached a "dangerous" level in the morning.

According to monitoring data from the Beijing Municipal Environmental Monitoring Center, readings for PM 2.5, or airborne particles measuring 2.5 microns or less in diameter, have risen to 500 micrograms per cubic meter as of 11 a.m. in many districts of the city.

In neighboring Tianjin, dense smog has forced the city's meteorological observatory to issue yellow alerts twice since Wednesday, yellow being the second-lowest level in China's four-tier color-coded weather alert system.

Statistics from the Tianjin Environmental Bureau showed that the concentration of PM 2.5 at seven of the 27 monitoring stations across the city has exceeded 300 micrograms per cubic meter on Thursday.

Sections of 15 expressways passing through Tianjin have also been temporarily closed on Thursday.

Sandstorms and gales also swept central and western regions of northern Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Gales will affect Hohhot, Baotou, Ulanqab League, Xilin Gol League and Bayannur League by dropping the visibility, temperature and air quality.

Local meteorological departments have advised residents to wear warm clothes and stay at home.