Strongest sandstorm in decade engulfs northern China

- The sandstorm is the strongest and the most sweeping one in nearly a decade. 

- Flights were canceled and classes suspended due to the sandstorm. 

- Despite years of greening efforts, sandstorm still a threat, said expert. 

Beijing, together with many regions in northern China, experienced a sandstorm on Monday. 

The sandstorm is the strongest and the most sweeping one in nearly a decade, according to the National Meteorological Center.

Starting from Monday to 8 am Tuesday, affected by cold fronts and heavy winds, floating sand and dust are expected to sweep parts of Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia, Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, Gansu, Ningxia, Shaanxi, Shanxi, Hebei, Beijing and Tianjin, forecast the center.

Some regions in Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, Shaanxi and Shanxi will be hit by strong sandstorms, the center said. 

Related: Sandstorm grounds flights in Gansu, warnings issued in N China

             Sandstorm conditions lead to flight cancellations in Beijing

Zhang Bihui, a senior meteorologist with the NMC, said higher-than-usual temperatures and little rainfall in Mongolia and North China recently, as well as heavy winds contributed to the strong sandstorm.

The center has advised the public to take precautions against the heavy winds and sandstorms, and suggested that drivers prepare for poor visibility.

The dust will move further southward from Tuesday, and affect central China and the northern part of the Yangtze River Delta, according to the center. 

Related: At least 6 killed in dust, snow storms in Mongolia

[Video shows vehicles driving on the road in Beijing during the sandstorm/Zhu Xingxin]