Windstorm lasting for over 12 hours has disrupted air traffic in Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
The Urumqi Diwopu International Airport launched an orange emergency response for delays, as more than 5,000 passengers were stranded at the airport as of 2 p.m. Monday, according to the airport.
Wind speeds had reached up to 70 km per hour in Urumqi and nearby regions since Monday.
The storm will last till late Monday, said Dou Xinying, of the station.
