On November 25, a massive sandstorm hit Zhangye city in China’s northwest province of Gansu. Carried by 61 kilometre per hour winds, a 100-metre-high “sand wall” engulfed Minle county in Zhangye in just five minutes. The visibility quickly dropped to less than 10 metres; roads and motorways had to be controlled by traffic police. The conditions also fanned fires in other parts of the city.
