The strongest sandstorm in Taiwan's history has hit the island, sharply increasing the air pollution index.

The environmental sector in Taiwan says the concentration of suspended particles in the air on Saturday reached 1,088 micrograms per cubic meter in Taipei, the highest in the city's history. Although rainfall on Sunday improved the air quality, Taipei is still on code-red high alert.

The sandstorm was caused by sands rising out of the Gobi Desert and Hetao region. And a monsoon from the northeast brought the sands down to Taiwan. It is forecast that the storm will leave Taiwan today Monday.

(CCTV April 28, 2009)