Many areas in the northern and central parts of China are being hit by sandstorms, which are expected to last over the weekend and bring falling temperatures and strong winds, according to a local meteorological station.

The sandstorm, forecast to occur between March 9 and 12, will affect Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and provinces of Gansu, Henan, Heilongjiang, Jilin and Liaoning in north China, said Kang Ling, an expert of the meteorological station on Friday.

The sandstorm is resulting from cold air from Siberia and low pressure from Mongolia. On Thursday, the cold air swept across Inner Mongolia, Gansu and Henan with strong winds and sandstorms which are now spreading to northeast China.

The temperatures will drop 6 to 8 degrees centigrade in 24 hours in the provinces of Heilongjiang, Jilin and Liaoning with sandstorm, heavy snow or sleet.

Local weather stations have issued sandstorm, snow and strong wind warnings and have advised local people to take necessary measures against possible respiratory and eye-related diseases.

(Xinhua News Agency March 11, 2006)