Smog and sandstorm hit Beijing

As the smog shrouded most parts in North and Central China, the capital city is facing one more problem-a sandstorm. The air quality in Beijing has indeed hit dangerous levels.

Grey to yellow. On Thursday morning, thick smog blanketed the city, reducing visibility to lower than 800 meters.

In the afternoon, strong winds swept dust through the city, pushing the air quality to hazardous levels.

"I can't open my eyes or mouth as you can see I'm fully equipped with mask and hat. I'm so worried about the air quality."

"I was shocked this morning when I woke up to see a yellow sky. I thought I was already used to smoggy skies, but not if the two are happening at the same time. I don't know what is actually happening with the current environment."

The windy, smoggy and sandy weather has pushed the readings for PM10 to one-thousand micrograms per cubic meter.

Li Yunting, engineer of Beijing Environmental Supervision Center"The air pollution today is very serious. The sandstorm adds more air pollutants which make the situation even worse. Readings for northwest part of the city have reached a very high level. Residents need to have more protection when walking outside."

The dust has arrived due to the incoming cold front from north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region which has brought with it the heavy wind and sandstorms.

Meteorologists say the strong wind which expected to coming in the evening is likely to clear up the sky.