When interviewed by reporters on April 9, Quan Hao, supervisor of the project of "Sandstorm Research", predicted China would suffer again from sandstorm in April.
Quan Hao noted when introducing the situation to the Commission of Population and Environment of CPPCC that the middle Asian sandstorm areas, one of the four largest, cover Kazakstan, Mongolia and Northwest China. Since those areas are currently the most active sandstorm sources, China is likely to suffer from sandstorms once again.
The sandstorm starting April 6 from the Southeast of Mongolia swept the Northeast of China which was to end on April 9. The areas from the South of Mongolia to Beijing avoided the sandstorm this time due to the slight rain. Quan said the sandstorm this time is stronger than that of last time and Beijing and other areas would have suffered worse sandstorm if without rain.
He indicated the sandstorm from March 17 to 20 was the strongest and most enduring one over last ten years. He attributed the cause of the strongest sandstorm to that when the sandstorm of March 15 wasn't over yet March 20 saw another intensify it from Mongolia and Kazakstan.
"Mongolia has suffered dryness for three years and the ground is lack of water. Sandstorm would be formed so long as gales occur. China is inevitable to suffer from it since it locates at leeward of Mongolia." Said Quan Hao.
(People's Daily April 10, 2002)
