Sandstorms can occur in summer, experts say

It's possible to have sandstorms in early summer in Beijing under certain conditions, an expert said on Monday as the municipal meteorological observatory issued a blue alert for extreme weather.

When most people were still in bed at around 5:30 am, the observatory issued a blue alarm for both dust and wind. It said PM10 readings exceeded 800 micrograms per cubic meter at the morning peak.

The dust gradually faded and the authorities lifted the alert at 10:30 am when visibility improved.